1. Military Success and Public Sentiment:
- The Union victories at Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863), Vicksburg (July 4, 1863), and Chattanooga (November 23-25, 1863) boosted public confidence in the Northern cause and Lincoln's handling of the war.
2. Emancipation Proclamation:
- Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, issued in January 1863, which declared that all slaves in Confederate territory were free, resonated with voters who supported the abolition of slavery. Union victories demonstrated that the war effort was achieving important goals, including weakening the Confederacy and furthering the cause of emancipation.
3. Political Alignment:
- The Union victories reinforced public perceptions that the Republican Party, under Lincoln's leadership, was better positioned to secure victory in the Civil War and promote the abolition of slavery. This solidified support for Lincoln and his party among abolitionists and those eager to see the war concluded successfully.
4. General George B. McClellan:
- In contrast to Lincoln's success, Democratic candidate George B. McClellan had been a commander in the Union army but was perceived as lacking decisiveness and having advocated for a negotiated settlement with the Confederacy. This stance proved unpopular with many Northerners who wanted a more decisive end to the war.
5. Peace Democrats and Copperheads:
- The war had been divisive within both parties, with some Democrats, known as "Peace Democrats" or "Copperheads," advocating for peace negotiations with the South and opposing Lincoln's conduct of the war. However, the Union victories undermined their arguments and weakened their political influence.
6. Electoral Outcome:
- As a result of these factors, Abraham Lincoln won the electoral vote by a significant margin, defeating George McClellan by 212 to 21. Lincoln's victory confirmed public approval of his leadership, the war effort, and the policy of emancipation.
Overall, the Union victories in the south strengthened Abraham Lincoln's position and contributed to his re-election in the 1864 election, ensuring the continuation of the war effort to reunify the country and end slavery.