Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858

The Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 were a series of seven debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas for an Illinois seat in the United States Senate. The debates presaged the issues that Lincoln faced in the 1860 Presidential campaign and are remembered partially for the eloquence of both sides.

The debates were held in seven towns in the state of Illinois: Ottawa, Freeport, Jonesboro, Charleston, Galesburg, Quincy, and Alton.

Notable among the most important issues were the two contenders' views on slavery, and African-American equality in general. Lincoln was opposed to any expansion of slavery into new United States territories, while Douglas supported the doctrine of popular sovereignty, believing that a territory's residents should vote on whether or not to allow slavery. Because Douglas articulated this position while he was in the debate in Freeport, this position became known as the Freeport Doctrine.

Primary Sources

• Bartleby Etext: Political Debates Between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas
• The Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858