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In 1858, former US representative Abraham Lincoln (then little-known outside of Illinois) ran for a US Senate seat against the Democratic incumbent, Stephen A. Douglas. They held 7 scheduled debates, one in each of the districts in which neither had already campaigned. These were held between August 21 and October 15, 1858. The response by the public was arguably meaningless, since (at that time) the Illinois legislature elected the state's senators. (This was changed by the 17th amendment in 1913.)

Lincoln, the Republican candidate, lost the election but his arguments were well-received by the audiences. He collected the transcribed texts into a book, which also became popular, leading to his nomination for President in 1860.

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Rahul Ledner

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What office were Lincoln and Douglas running for when they debated?

The Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858 were a series of seven debates between Abraham Lincoln, the Republican candidate for Senate in Illinois, and incumbent Senator Stephen Douglas, the Democratic Party candidate. Although Lincoln was a candidate for the Senate in Illinois, the debates were not directly related to an election of office. At the time, Illinois' Senators were elected by the Illinois Legislators, so the purpose of the debates was to represent their parties (Lincoln for the Republicans and Douglas for the Democrats) in a bid to win control of the Illinois Legislature. The main issue discussed in all seven debates was slavery.


Which document made freeing the slaves a main focus of the war?

Emancipation proclamation


What appeared to be the main focus of the union strategy in the east?

The main goal of the Union army in the east was to not be defeated by the Confederacy. This was the main goal of the entire Union Army from 1861 to 1864.


Which constitutional principle was the main focus of the North-South conflicts that led to the Civil War?

States' rights


What were the main events of the Lincoln-Douglas debates?

They were held in 1858, in 7 different locations throughout Illinois.Washington Square, Ottawa, IllinoisFreeport, IllinoisUnion County Fairgrounds, Jonesboro, IllinoisColes County Fairgrounds, Charleston, IllinoisOld Main, Knox College, Galesburg, IllinoisWashington Park, Quincy, IllinoisBroadway & Market Streets, Alton, Illinois