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Election of 1880
| November 2, 1880 | Republican James Garfield defeats Democrat Winfield Scott Hancock in the Presidential election | |
| Winfield Scott Hancock | ||
| James Garfield | ||
| Republican Party | ||
| Democratic Party |
Election of 1880
Republicans came into their convention with former President Ulysses S. Grant as the leading contender for President, but opposition within his own party spelled the end of his chances. A strong anti-Grant/no third term vote split the party three ways, with both John Sherman (William Tecumseh Sherman's brother) and James Blaine dividing the convention. On the 34th ballot, Wisconsin cast its votes for Ohioan James Garfield, who had served as William S. Rosecrans chief-of-staff during the Battle of Chickamauga. Garfield had given a rousing speech earlier in the convention and the Wisconsin delegation selected him in hopes of breaking the deadlock. In spite of Garfield announcing his support for John Sherman, the convention selected Garfield.
In the Democratic Convention a wide array of politicians were trying to get the presidential nod. Initial leader Samuel Tilden was viewed as weak since he could not win in 1876 against Rutherford B. Hayes and the scandal-ridden Republican Party and many favorite sons split state and regional votes. Former Union general Winfield Scott Hancock won the convention on the second ballot and went into the election strong in the South that he had played an important role in defeating during The War Between the States.
Two major issues arose during the campaign. There was substantial talk on tariffs, with the Republicans demanding a protective tariff. The second issue revolved around Garfield's role in the Battle of Chickamauga.
The Democrats won every state in the South, along with all the border states, West Virginia, and New Jersey in spite of running a former Union general. The Republicans took all the northern states, and Garfield easily won the Electoral College although the popular vote was extremely close. Of slightly less than 9 million votes cast, less than 2,000 separated the two candidates.
Links appearing on this page:
Republicans came into their convention with former President Ulysses S. Grant as the leading contender for President, but opposition within his own party spelled the end of his chances. A strong anti-Grant/no third term vote split the party three ways, with both John Sherman (William Tecumseh Sherman's brother) and James Blaine dividing the convention. On the 34th ballot, Wisconsin cast its votes for Ohioan James Garfield, who had served as William S. Rosecrans chief-of-staff during the Battle of Chickamauga. Garfield had given a rousing speech earlier in the convention and the Wisconsin delegation selected him in hopes of breaking the deadlock. In spite of Garfield announcing his support for John Sherman, the convention selected Garfield.
In the Democratic Convention a wide array of politicians were trying to get the presidential nod. Initial leader Samuel Tilden was viewed as weak since he could not win in 1876 against Rutherford B. Hayes and the scandal-ridden Republican Party and many favorite sons split state and regional votes. Former Union general Winfield Scott Hancock won the convention on the second ballot and went into the election strong in the South that he had played an important role in defeating during The War Between the States.
Two major issues arose during the campaign. There was substantial talk on tariffs, with the Republicans demanding a protective tariff. The second issue revolved around Garfield's role in the Battle of Chickamauga.
The Democrats won every state in the South, along with all the border states, West Virginia, and New Jersey in spite of running a former Union general. The Republicans took all the northern states, and Garfield easily won the Electoral College although the popular vote was extremely close. Of slightly less than 9 million votes cast, less than 2,000 separated the two candidates.
Links appearing on this page:
Battle of Chickamauga
James Garfield
Rutherford B. Hayes
The War Between the States
Ulysses S. Grant
William Tecumseh Sherman
Winfield Scott Hancock
Election of 1880 was last changed on - June 10, 2007
Election of 1880 was added on - June 10, 2007
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