Lincoln and Douglas Debates - 1171 Words

Lincoln and Douglas Debates The Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 were a series of seven debates between Abraham Lincoln, the republican candidate, and the incumbent Senator Stephen Douglas, a Democratic Party candidate, for a seat in the United States Senate. During the time period of the debates, Senators were elected by state legislators; therefore Lincoln and Douglas were competing for their respective parties to win control of the Illinois Legislature. The main issue for the debates was overwhelmingly about slavery and anything tied into dealing with slavery. â€Å"As the fifties wore on, an exhaustive, exacerbating and essentially futile conflict over slavery raged to the exclusion of nearly all other topics.† So, with slavery at†¦show more content†¦Lincoln as he had never before been aroused. It was at this time that he fully comprehended the fact that there was to be no peace on the slavery question until either freedom or slavery should triumph.† Lincoln was strongly opposed to popular sovereignty on the issue and believed that it would only help slavery endure for even longer. when the Judge reminds me that I have often said to him that the institution of slavery has existed for eighty years in some States, and yet it does not exist in some others, I agree to the fact, and I account for it by looking at the position in which our fathers originally placed it-restricting it from the new Territories where it had not gone, and legislating to cut off its source by the abrogation of the slave-trade thus putting the seal of legislation against its spread. The public mind did rest in the belief that it was in the course of ultimate extinction. But lately, I think-and in this I charge nothing on the Judges motives-lately, I think, that he, and those acting with him, have placed that institution on a new basis, which looks to the perpetuity and nationalization of slavery. And while it is placed upon this new basis, I say, and I have said, that I believe we shall not have peace upon the question until the opponents of slavery arrest the further spread of it, and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in the course of ultimate extinction; or, on the other hand,Show MoreRelatedThe Seven Lincoln Douglas Debates866 Words   |  4 PagesThe Seven Lincoln-Douglas debates were a series of political debates for a Senate seat of Illinois between Abraham Lincoln, Illinois lawyer and the Republican candidate, and Stephen A. Douglas, senator from Illinois since 1847, for the Democratic Party. Lincoln and Douglas held one debate in each in seven congressional districts in Illinois. The first debate was held on August 21, 1858. Ottawa, north-central Illinois, The debates centered on the issue of slavery. Douglas accused Lincoln with tryingRead MoreLincoln-Douglas Debate Essay examples1458 Words   |  6 Pageslasts much longer than just the initial outcome. The Lincoln Douglas Debates are by far one of the truest examples of this happening. The seven debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas that took place in 1858 had extreme importance in Illinois that created effects that decided the presidential election of 1860. The Lincoln Douglas debates were a series of several debates that took place all over the state of Illinois. In these debates, two men argued in order to express their beliefs andRead MoreLincoln-Douglas Debate Essay examples938 Words   |  4 PagesThe Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858 was a very influential event that occurred in American history and has much significance, even till this day. The debates were in contest for the United States Senate seat in Illinois. The main topic involved in the debates was based around slavery and the separation of the union because of it. Both Lincoln and Douglas refer to the U.S. Constitution in their remarks and state different opinions surrounding what they interpret the meaning of certain parts regardingRead More The Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858 Essay2970 Words   |  12 PagesBefore engaging in the debates with Senator Stephen A. Douglas, Lincoln was relatively unknown in the political world and was just beginning his career in politics. Abraham Lincoln’s reputation was just starting to grow, and his life was about to make a drastic change. The Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 were a turning point in Abraham Lincoln’s political career.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Lincoln had served four terms in the Illinois legislature, and now desired an office with greater prestige. Lincoln had served the WhigRead MoreThe Lincoln-Douglas Debates and Their Profound Effect on Political Affairs683 Words   |  3 Pageswere a time of bitter debate throughout the United States. The issues of slavery, states rights, and the use of tariffs were threatening to divide the nation and there was talk of secession by the Southern states. This dissension was not just between the individual states but spread as well to individual politicians throughout all the states. Probably one of the most widely recognized examples of this dissension were the debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas in their efforts to seekRead MoreThe Lincoln-Douglas Debates: Slavery, Equal Rights, and the Role of the Government733 Words   |  3 Pagesï » ¿The Lincoln Douglas Debates: Slavery, Equal Rights and the Role of Government Introduction In 1858 the Republican party of Illinois nominated Abraham Lincoln to be their candidate for the United States Senate. 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The Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 were a turning point in Abraham Lincoln’s political career. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; After being nominated to the Illinois legislature, Lincoln gave his famous â€Å"House Divided† speech whichRead MoreJohn Brown And The Civil War1719 Words   |  7 PagesStephen Douglas, and Abraham Lincoln, with their own niche roles contributed greatly to the coming and the inevitability of the Civil War. Lincoln being chief among these people in respects to importance to the coming of the Civil War was a huge catalyst to the civil war through his election to presidency without the votes of a single southern state, and his debates with Stephen Douglas. Douglas was another large part of the fruition of the Civil War through his Compromise of 1850, and the Douglas-LincolnRead MoreSlavery During The 19th Century895 Words   |  4 Pagesand south, over the dispute of slavery. The south sought to further slavery while the north was in favor of abolishing slavery. Around 1858, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, two politicians with completely differe nt views on slavery fought each other with politicians trying to win the presidency election of 1860. This was known as the â€Å"Great Debates of 1858†. Slavery during the late 1800’s was at its highest peak; almost 1 out of 4 citizens had slaves. Slavery has become very popular in the southernRead More Abraham Lincoln was a Hypocrite Essay988 Words   |  4 PagesAbraham Lincoln was a Hypocrite   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Abraham Lincoln was always known as a good and honest man. There are many other opinions that refute this statement. Many theories say that Lincoln was far from good and honest. Throughout his life he tried to do good then as president he tried to hold a nation together by tactics that could be looked at as unpleasant. Abraham Lincoln is considered a hero to many, but he could also be looked at to be a hypocrite and a racist because of his ideas about the Negro