The Democracy Archive

The Democracy Archive

America Divided: What the Election of 1860 Can Teach Us

Polarization isn’t new. The lessons of 1860 remind us why division matters, and why our present moment is unique.

Conor J. Kelly's avatar
Conor J. Kelly
Sep 16, 2025
∙ Paid
By Alexander Hesler - Abraham_Lincoln_by_Alexander_Hesler,_1860.png, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=157882016

Much of our dialogue today is dictated by the idea of political division. Indeed, Americans are more polarized than they have been in years, with very little room for agreement, with most Americans saying that the …

User's avatar

Continue reading this post for free, courtesy of Conor J. Kelly.

Or purchase a paid subscription.
© 2026 Conor Kelly · Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture