Lincoln-Douglas Debates

The Lincoln-Douglas Debates were a series of seven debates in 1858 between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas during their campaign for a U.S. Senate seat from Illinois. These debates focused primarily on the issue of slavery and its expansion into new territories. Lincoln argued against the spread of slavery, advocating for human rights, while Douglas supported popular sovereignty, allowing territories to decide for themselves. Although Douglas won the Senate seat, the debates raised Lincoln's national profile and set the stage for his future presidency and the growing national conflict over slavery.