Both sides are struggling War was a part of everyone’s life Lincoln was seeking re-election Lincoln needed military victories Atlanta must be captured for the Union to

end the war. Union Army is not winning.

Summer of 1864

Election of 1864

Republican (National Union Party)

Coalition of Republican Party and War Democrats

Lincoln nominatedSlogan “ Don’t Swap horses in the middle

of the river.”Lincoln needed military victories to win

the election Election would be a mandate on how

to finish the war.

Pressed to end the warInvented the term miscegenationThe interbreeding of what are presumed to be distinct human races, especially marriage between white and non-white persons.

Aim was to create fear about emancipation

Democratic Party McClellan

Radical Republicans

John C. Fremont

Soldiers were given absentee ballots

Electoral Votes Lincoln 212 Had 55% of the popular vote McClellan 21 (KY, DE, NJ) Had 45% of the popular vote

Results

Lincoln’s election crushing defeat for the South

Total war policy would continueLast real hope for confederate victory

Confederate desertions increased sharply

Effects of election