Background of the 1864 Presidential Election

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 29 views

The 1864 Presidential Election: A Comparison of Lincoln and McClellan's Popular Votes

The 1864 presidential election was a pivotal moment in American history, taking place during the height of the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln, the incumbent president, was running for re-election against George McClellan, a prominent Union general. In this article, we will delve into the popular vote results of the 1864 presidential election and compare the votes received by Lincoln and McClellan.

Background of the 1864 Presidential Election

The 1864 presidential election was a contentious one, with the country deeply divided over the issue of slavery and the war effort. Abraham Lincoln, who had been elected president in 1860, was seeking re-election against George McClellan, a Union general who had been relieved of his command by Lincoln. McClellan's campaign focused on ending the war and negotiating a peace settlement with the Confederacy, while Lincoln's campaign emphasized the importance of continuing the war effort to preserve the Union.

Popular Vote Results

The popular vote results of the 1864 presidential election were as follows:

Candidate	Popular Votes	Electoral Votes
Abraham Lincoln	2,218,388	212
George McClellan	1,812,807	21

As we can see from the table above, Abraham Lincoln received approximately 405,581 more popular votes than George McClellan.

Comparison of Lincoln and McClellan's Popular Votes

To put the difference in popular votes into perspective, let's consider the following:

The total number of popular votes cast in the 1864 presidential election was approximately 4,030,195.
Lincoln received approximately 55.1% of the total popular votes, while McClellan received approximately 45.1%.
The difference in popular votes between Lincoln and McClellan was approximately 10.0% of the total popular votes.

Why Did Lincoln Receive More Popular Votes?

There are several reasons why Abraham Lincoln received more popular votes than George McClellan in the 1864 presidential election. Some of the key factors include:

Lincoln's Strong Leadership: Lincoln's leadership during the Civil War was widely praised by the public, and he was seen as a strong and effective commander-in-chief.
McClellan's Controversial Past: McClellan's past as a Union general who had been relieved of his command by Lincoln was a major liability for his campaign. Many voters saw him as a failed leader who was not capable of winning the war.
The War Effort: The war effort was a major issue in the 1864 presidential election, and Lincoln's commitment to continuing the war effort was seen as a major strength by many voters. McClellan's proposal to negotiate a peace settlement with the Confederacy was seen as a weakness by many voters.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Abraham Lincoln received approximately 405,581 more popular votes than George McClellan in the 1864 presidential election. This difference in popular votes was due to a combination of factors, including Lincoln's strong leadership, McClellan's controversial past, and the war effort. The 1864 presidential election was a pivotal moment in American history, and it marked a major turning point in the Civil War.

References

"The 1864 Presidential Election" by the Library of Congress
"The Civil War and Reconstruction" by the National Park Service
"Abraham Lincoln: A Life" by Michael Burlingame
"George McClellan: A Biography" by Stephen W. Sears

Further Reading

"The Civil War: A Narrative" by Shelby Foote
"Abraham Lincoln: A Life" by Michael Burlingame
"George McClellan: A Biography" by Stephen W. Sears
"The 1864 Presidential Election" by the Library of Congress

External Links

The Library of Congress: www.loc.gov
The National Park Service: www.nps.gov
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum: www.alplm.org
The George McClellan Papers: www.loc.gov/collections/george-mcclellan-papers
Q&A: The 1864 Presidential Election

The 1864 presidential election was a pivotal moment in American history, and it marked a major turning point in the Civil War. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the 1864 presidential election.

Q: Who were the candidates in the 1864 presidential election?

A: The candidates in the 1864 presidential election were Abraham Lincoln, the incumbent president, and George McClellan, a prominent Union general.

Q: What were the main issues in the 1864 presidential election?

A: The main issues in the 1864 presidential election were the war effort and the question of whether to continue fighting the Civil War or negotiate a peace settlement with the Confederacy.

Q: Why did Lincoln win the election?

A: Lincoln won the election due to a combination of factors, including his strong leadership during the Civil War, McClellan's controversial past as a Union general, and the public's perception of the war effort.

Q: What was the popular vote result of the 1864 presidential election?

A: The popular vote result of the 1864 presidential election was as follows:

Candidate	Popular Votes	Electoral Votes
Abraham Lincoln	2,218,388	212
George McClellan	1,812,807	21

Q: How many more popular votes did Lincoln receive than McClellan?

A: Lincoln received approximately 405,581 more popular votes than McClellan.

Q: What was the significance of the 1864 presidential election?

A: The 1864 presidential election was significant because it marked a major turning point in the Civil War. Lincoln's re-election ensured that the war effort would continue, and it paved the way for the eventual defeat of the Confederacy.

Q: What were the consequences of the 1864 presidential election?

A: The consequences of the 1864 presidential election were far-reaching. Lincoln's re-election ensured that the war effort would continue, and it paved the way for the eventual defeat of the Confederacy. The election also marked a major shift in the public's perception of the war effort, with many Americans coming to support the Union cause.

Q: What can we learn from the 1864 presidential election?

A: We can learn several things from the 1864 presidential election, including the importance of strong leadership, the power of public opinion, and the significance of the war effort in shaping American history.

Q: How did the 1864 presidential election impact American politics?

A: The 1864 presidential election had a significant impact on American politics, marking a major shift in the public's perception of the war effort and paving the way for the eventual defeat of the Confederacy. The election also set a precedent for future presidential elections, highlighting the importance of strong leadership and the power of public opinion.

Q: What are some of the key sources for learning about the 1864 presidential election?

A: Some of the key sources for learning about the 1864 presidential election include:

The Library of Congress: www.loc.gov
The National Park Service: www.nps.gov
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum: www.alplm.org
The George McClellan Papers: www.loc.gov/collections/george-mcclellan-papers

Q: What are some of the key books for learning about the 1864 presidential election?

A: Some of the key books for learning about the 1864 presidential election include:

"The Civil War: A Narrative" by Shelby Foote
"Abraham Lincoln: A Life" by Michael Burlingame
"George McClellan: A Biography" by Stephen W. Sears
"The 1864 Presidential Election" by the Library of Congress

Q: What are some of the key online resources for learning about the 1864 presidential election?

A: Some of the key online resources for learning about the 1864 presidential election include:

The Library of Congress: www.loc.gov
The National Park Service: www.nps.gov
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum: www.alplm.org
The George McClellan Papers: www.loc.gov/collections/george-mcclellan-papers