The Road To The Convention

The Republican National Convention of 1860: A Pivotal Moment in American History

The Road to the Convention

The 1860 Republican National Convention was a pivotal event in American history. It was held in Chicago, Illinois, from May 16 to 18, 1860, and its outcome would have a profound impact on the course of the nation.

The Contenders

The convention was held to nominate the Republican Party's candidate for president. The frontrunner was William H. Seward, the incumbent Secretary of State, but he faced strong challenges from Abraham Lincoln, a lesser-known politician from Illinois, and Salmon P. Chase, the former governor of Ohio.