1864

20A-1066965

20B-1066966

The course of the Civil War determined the nature of the 1864 campaign. The Republicans and pro-war Democrats nominated Lincoln; this cartoon reflects their admiration and their support of his candidacy (20A-1066965). But Lincoln was attacked, as we see in these cartoons, for his inclination to make jokes (20B-1066966,20C-1066967, 20D-1066968).

General George B. McClellan was criticized for running for office while holding his military position and for his "double feat of equitation." This refers to McClellan's stand on the Democratic platform; the Democrats demanded peace at any cost, but McClellan wavered, unwilling to believe that the sacrifices of the men he had commanded were in vain. His position was eventually a compromise; he campaigned on a platform of "peace and the restoration of the Union."

It was a close race, but what won the election for Lincoln were Sherman's capture of Atlanta and the ensuing successes of the Northern armies.