—D.  Election of 1860-  The split in the Democratic Party along sectional lines, North and South, allowing Lincoln to win a four-way election.

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÷1.  Secession-  Seven southern states promptly seceded and formed the Confederate States of America.  SC, GA, TX, AL, MS, FL, LA

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—E. President Buchanan-  with the south in full rebellion Buchanan was unable to accomplish anything.  The Crittenden Compromise, a last ditch effort to solve the problem, failed due to Lincoln’s opposition.