To what extent was the election of Abrahan Lincoln a mandate for the abolition o

Question: To what extent was the election of Abrahan Lincoln a mandate for the abolition of slavery in teh United States
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It wasn't exactly a mandate, mandates usually imply a large margin of victory!. It could however be considered a mandate of the free states as the Republicans were almost exclusively a northern party, and the free states were clearly not happy with how the slavery issue was being dealt, such as the compromise of 1850!. For Lincoln's on part he did not present himself as someone who would radically push for emancipation, but given his previous statements on the matter as well as his physical resemblance to John Brown (see Harper's Ferry), the southerns believed he would force the issue!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Republicans in 1860 were very focused on the slavery issue, but abolitionists were a minority wing within the party!. The position on slavery that most Republicans were voting for was to keep it from expanding!. They were also voting to preserve the Union!. Lincoln won primarily because of the split in the Democratic Party, capturing less than 40% of the popular vote, so no mandate there!.Www@QuestionHome@Com