The Lincoln-Douglas Debates Slavery brought out both the worst and the best in people, and was the cause of many political controversies and debates. One of the most famous debates ever to take place was concerning slavery were the Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858. It was not over only slavery but also determined who got a seat in the senate. The outcome ended up having a major impact on both of these historical icons’ political careers which they were unaware of at the time the debates took place. With that in mind, just how does the winner of one of the most famous debates ever to take place end up losing in the long run?
Stephen A. Douglas was very established as a politician and well known in the democratic party in the 1850’s. He …show more content…
These debates would reshape America's view of slavery forever. The debates took place in seven out of the nine congressional districts in Illinois because before they agreed to debate each other they had already spoken in the previous two districts at two different times. The way the debates would take place is that one person would open and speak for an hour. Then the other person would do a rebuttal to the opening statement for an hour and a half, followed by the opening speaker person who would provide a closing statement for half an hour. The first debate took place in Ottawa in front of about 10,000-12,000 people. Douglas opened up the debate and referred to Lincoln as a radical abolitionist and asked him the following seven questions: “I desire to know whether Lincoln to-day stands, as he did in 1854, in favor of the unconditional repeal of the fugitive slave law?” “I desire him to answer whether he stands pledged to-day, as he did in 1854, against the admission of any more slave states into the Union, even if the people want them?” “I want to know whether he stands pledged against the admission of a new state into the Union with such a constitution as the people of the that State may see fit to make?” “I want to know whether he stands to-day pledged to the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia?” “I desire him to answer whether he stands pledged to the prohibition of the slave-trade between the different States.” “I desire to know …show more content…
Douglas rebutted against this saying that Lincoln wanted equality for all races. The fifth debate took place in the city of Galesburg at Knox College with more than 15,000 people in attendance. Douglas opened up by stating the Declaration of Independence and how the white men who wrote it intended it to be for white men only. Lincoln then rebutted citing the Declaration himself and implied that it meant for all men in America, regardless of race. The sixth debate was much like the second debate although it took place in Quincy with roughly 12,000 people in attendance. Lincoln opened up about how slavery was morally wrong and that if he were to be elected as senator, he and the Republican Party would only attack slavery where the Constitution allowed them to do so. Douglas then spoke and sat on the fence on the issue speaking about the views of both pro-slavery and anti-slavery. The seventh and final debate took place in Alton with around 5,000 people in attendance. Douglas opened up trying to close these debates with a bang by attacking Lincoln's house divided speech which he gave in Springfield before the two agreed to travel to the other seven congressional districts for further debates.
Stephen A. Douglas was very established as a politician and well known in the democratic party in the 1850’s. He …show more content…
These debates would reshape America's view of slavery forever. The debates took place in seven out of the nine congressional districts in Illinois because before they agreed to debate each other they had already spoken in the previous two districts at two different times. The way the debates would take place is that one person would open and speak for an hour. Then the other person would do a rebuttal to the opening statement for an hour and a half, followed by the opening speaker person who would provide a closing statement for half an hour. The first debate took place in Ottawa in front of about 10,000-12,000 people. Douglas opened up the debate and referred to Lincoln as a radical abolitionist and asked him the following seven questions: “I desire to know whether Lincoln to-day stands, as he did in 1854, in favor of the unconditional repeal of the fugitive slave law?” “I desire him to answer whether he stands pledged to-day, as he did in 1854, against the admission of any more slave states into the Union, even if the people want them?” “I want to know whether he stands pledged against the admission of a new state into the Union with such a constitution as the people of the that State may see fit to make?” “I want to know whether he stands to-day pledged to the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia?” “I desire him to answer whether he stands pledged to the prohibition of the slave-trade between the different States.” “I desire to know …show more content…
Douglas rebutted against this saying that Lincoln wanted equality for all races. The fifth debate took place in the city of Galesburg at Knox College with more than 15,000 people in attendance. Douglas opened up by stating the Declaration of Independence and how the white men who wrote it intended it to be for white men only. Lincoln then rebutted citing the Declaration himself and implied that it meant for all men in America, regardless of race. The sixth debate was much like the second debate although it took place in Quincy with roughly 12,000 people in attendance. Lincoln opened up about how slavery was morally wrong and that if he were to be elected as senator, he and the Republican Party would only attack slavery where the Constitution allowed them to do so. Douglas then spoke and sat on the fence on the issue speaking about the views of both pro-slavery and anti-slavery. The seventh and final debate took place in Alton with around 5,000 people in attendance. Douglas opened up trying to close these debates with a bang by attacking Lincoln's house divided speech which he gave in Springfield before the two agreed to travel to the other seven congressional districts for further debates.