Abraham Lincoln’s 1860 presidential campaign relied heavily on his working class roots as a rail-splitter and rural laborer. At a time of growing class identity among laboring, skilled workers – often called “mechanics” – this appeal worked, particularly because working class voters actually turned out to vote in far higher numbers in this era than wealthier citizens. Although he won barely 39% of the popular vote, Lincoln’s Republicans won a majority of electoral votes and defeated three other challengers: John Breckenridge, Stephen A Douglas, and John Bell.
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