Question: who won the election of 1860 and what occurred immediately following the election

title: Presidency of Abraham Lincoln
text: Lincoln took office following the 1860 presidential election , in which he won a plurality of the popular vote in a four - candidate field . Almost all of Lincoln 's votes came from the Northern United States , as the Republicans held little appeal to voters in the Southern United States . A former Whig , Lincoln ran on a political platform opposed to the expansion of slavery in the territories . His election served as the immediate impetus for the outbreak of the American Civil War . During the 16 weeks between Election Day and Inauguration Day , seven slave states declared their secession from the Union and formed the Confederate States of America . After being sworn in as president , Lincoln refused to accept any resolution that would result in Southern secession from the Union . The Civil War began weeks into Lincoln 's presidency with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter , a federal installation located within the boundaries of the Confederacy . 

Answer: answer: Lincoln took office following the 1860 presidential election. Weeks into Lincoln 's presidency the Civil War began with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, a federal installation located within the boundaries of the Confederacy .