The Election of 1860 was a pivotal event that escalated tensions leading up to the American Civil War. Abraham Lincoln's election as the first Republican president signaled a shift away from pro-slavery policies, sparking fears among Southern states that their interests would be threatened. Lincoln's platform opposed the expansion of slavery into new territories. Following his victory, several Southern states seceded from the Union, forming the Confederate States of America. This division highlighted the deepening rift between the North and South and set the stage for the Civil War, as issues of state rights and slavery became irreconcilable.