Replies

The tariff issue returned to center stage as a political potboiler after The Panic of 1857. Many Northern politicians began agitating for higher tariffs at that time, in the belief that industries in the North required further protection from the vagaries of international competition. (This line of “reasoning” was a forerunner of the arguments used 70 years later to justify the Smoot-Hawley tariffs of 1930). The clamor for higher tariffs came about after two decades, following the Great Compromise of 1833, in which tariff rates had gradually fallen. Lincoln ran on a very strong pro-tariff platform in 1860. When he was elected, for many in the South the die was cast for secession. The election of 1860 is a very interesting one; it really was two elections, one in the North (between Lincoln and Douglas) and another in the South (between Breckinridge and Bell).

When he was elected, for many in the South the die was cast for secession.

If tariffs were such a big issue then why didn't any of the 1860 Democrat platforms take a position on them? They were all over slavery but silent on the big 'T'. Why?

Lincoln ran on a very strong pro-tariff platform in 1860.

I already cited both the Republican Tariff plank of 1860, and the Democrat(ick) lack of any mention of tariffs in their platforms. How is this "strong pro-tariff"?: "12. That, while providing revenue for the support of the General Government by duties upon imports, sound policy requires such an adjustment of these imposts as to encourage the development of the industrial interests of the whole country; and we commend that policy of national exchanges which secures to the working men liberal wages, to agriculture remunerating prices, to mechanics and manufacturers an adequate reward for their skill, labor and enterprise, and to the nation commercial prosperity and independence."

Whole Republican Platform of 1860 here. Taken along with the two Dem platforms, it becomes quite clear what the burning issues of the election really were, and why the slaveholding elite triggered the secessions upon Lincoln's election. It wasn't tariffs that had them panicking.