1864
The 1864 U.S. presidential election was won by Abraham Lincoln (Republican) with 212 of 233 electoral votes, defeating George B. McClellan (Democratic). Electoral vote margin: 191 EV, popular-vote margin +10.1%; turnout 76.3%. The cycle falls in the Civil War era of American electoral history.
Abraham Lincoln and the 1864 map
Lincoln won re-election during the Civil War, defeating his former general George B. McClellan who ran on a peace platform. Early in the campaign Lincoln feared he would lose, as war weariness had set in; however, Sherman's capture of Atlanta in September dramatically shifted the public mood. Lincoln ran on the National Union ticket to attract War Democrats. Eleven Confederate states did not participate. Lincoln's re-election ensured the war would be prosecuted to total victory and emancipation.
Continuation of the Civil War; emancipation; terms of Southern reconstruction
First wartime re-election since 1812; Lincoln feared defeat until Sherman took Atlanta
States · 25 reporting
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