Who was nominated for presidency in 1860 by the Constitutional Union Party?

John Bell was nominated for the presidency in 1860 by the Constitutional Union Party primarily because his platform aimed to uphold the Union and avoid the divisive issues of slavery and secession that dominated the political landscape during that time. The Constitutional Union Party formed from a faction of former Whigs and Know-Nothings who wanted to preserve the Union amidst rising tensions over these issues. Bell's candidacy represented a moderate alternative to ensure that there was a focus on national unity over sectional conflict.

This nomination reflected the party’s desire to appeal to voters in both the North and the South, aiming to sidestep the polarizing effects of the other major candidates like Abraham Lincoln, who was associated with a strong anti-slavery stance, and Stephen Douglas, who was known for his position on popular sovereignty. Thus, the Constitutional Union Party saw Bell as a candidate who could garner support from those who were more concerned about disunion rather than the contentious issues surrounding slavery. The 1860 election ultimately highlighted the fracture in American society, which would soon lead to the Civil War.