Lincoln-Douglas DebatesLincoln-Douglas Debates

By Devin AndersonBy Devin Anderson

ObjectivesObjectives

Learn a LOT about the Lincoln Learn a LOT about the Lincoln Douglas Debates in a timely mannerDouglas Debates in a timely manner

Find out WHY the debates matter to Find out WHY the debates matter to us.us.

Get a good grade on the APUSH test! Get a good grade on the APUSH test!

Brief Bits of Background InfoBrief Bits of Background Info

Before the debates, The Compromise Before the debates, The Compromise of 1850 had already been passed, of 1850 had already been passed, causing some political chaos within causing some political chaos within the country.the country.

Popular Sovereignty was still a hot Popular Sovereignty was still a hot topic as well.topic as well.

Kansas-Nebraska Act already came Kansas-Nebraska Act already came into play (1854)into play (1854)

The Tale of Two GiantsThe Tale of Two Giants

Both of these men were skilled Both of these men were skilled orators. But before they became to orators. But before they became to be such profound speakers, we must be such profound speakers, we must understand what kind of people they understand what kind of people they were.were.

Stephen A. DouglasStephen A. Douglas

Originally from Vermont, Douglas Originally from Vermont, Douglas ventured to Illinois at the age of 20 ventured to Illinois at the age of 20 (1833).(1833).

Keep in mind, he had no friends Keep in mind, he had no friends (totally a new guy) and he was (totally a new guy) and he was broke!broke!

One year after he arrived in Illinois, One year after he arrived in Illinois, he began practicing law (Morgan he began practicing law (Morgan County Illinois)County Illinois)

Stephen A. Douglas cont…Stephen A. Douglas cont…

Did you know…Did you know…Stephen A. Douglas was a HUGE fan Stephen A. Douglas was a HUGE fan

of Andrew Jacksonof Andrew JacksonHe became a General Assembly He became a General Assembly

Member in 1836 Member in 1836 In 1837 he made Registrar of the In 1837 he made Registrar of the

Land Office in Springfield, IllinoisLand Office in Springfield, Illinois

More about Douglas…More about Douglas…

Elected to Illinois Supreme Court in Elected to Illinois Supreme Court in 1841.1841.

1843- Elected to Congress1843- Elected to Congress1847- *Elected to Senate*1847- *Elected to Senate*

What was his plan?What was his plan?

He wanted favorable legislation for He wanted favorable legislation for IllinoisIllinois

Kansas Nebraska-Bill was Kansas Nebraska-Bill was INTRODUCED INTRODUCED BYBY Stephen A Douglas (1854) as an Stephen A Douglas (1854) as an attempt to appeal to the south to pass attempt to appeal to the south to pass such favorable legislation (Popular such favorable legislation (Popular Sovereignty). Without this (Kansas-Sovereignty). Without this (Kansas-Nebraska) Bill, the Missouri Compromise Nebraska) Bill, the Missouri Compromise wouldn’t have been repealed (which wouldn’t have been repealed (which prohibited slavery north of Missouri)prohibited slavery north of Missouri)

What happened as a result of What happened as a result of the Compromise of 1850?the Compromise of 1850?

Two Words:Two Words:Bleeding KansasBleeding Kansas

Douglas ShockedDouglas Shocked

By this time, the Compromise of By this time, the Compromise of 1850 was made an even more 1850 was made an even more controversial topic.controversial topic.

Later (1858), Douglas met a man by Later (1858), Douglas met a man by the name of Abraham Lincoln and the name of Abraham Lincoln and dueled a duel without guns, but with dueled a duel without guns, but with ideas.ideas.

Along Came a LincolnAlong Came a Lincoln

Everyone knows the story about the Everyone knows the story about the man now famous for being on the man now famous for being on the penny.penny.

Born in a log cabin in Kentucky, Born in a log cabin in Kentucky, Lincoln taught himself to read and Lincoln taught himself to read and write.write.

When elected, he was the first When elected, he was the first Republican President.Republican President.

What did Lincoln stand for?What did Lincoln stand for?

Though he wasn’t an abolitionist, he did Though he wasn’t an abolitionist, he did not want the expansion of slavery into new not want the expansion of slavery into new territories. He thought southern “slave territories. He thought southern “slave power” was a threat to Republicanism.power” was a threat to Republicanism.

When he was quoted saying “A house When he was quoted saying “A house divided against itself cannot stand”, he divided against itself cannot stand”, he was speaking specifically about the divide was speaking specifically about the divide within the country over the free and non-within the country over the free and non-free state territories.free state territories.

Clash of the TitansClash of the Titans

By 1858, Douglas had an excellent By 1858, Douglas had an excellent reputation for his speaking, but reputation for his speaking, but Lincoln was yet to be put down Lincoln was yet to be put down (possibly because he wasn’t very (possibly because he wasn’t very well known).well known).

Each of them were ready to face off Each of them were ready to face off for a spot representing Illinois in the for a spot representing Illinois in the senatesenate

Preparing for BattlePreparing for Battle

In debates as well as in life, planning is a In debates as well as in life, planning is a key to success. Lincoln and Douglas key to success. Lincoln and Douglas planned out their debates thoroughly and planned out their debates thoroughly and to the “T”. to the “T”.

Lincoln would take the less traveled route Lincoln would take the less traveled route by arguing the country could not last with by arguing the country could not last with free and non-free states together. free and non-free states together.

Douglas would argue the supremacy of Douglas would argue the supremacy of democracy and suggest letting the states democracy and suggest letting the states choose if they want slavery or not.choose if they want slavery or not.

Round 1Round 1

Another key to success is location. Another key to success is location. There were 7 locations for the There were 7 locations for the debates in Illinois.debates in Illinois.

The locations were as follows:The locations were as follows:Ottowa, IL; Freeport, IL; Jonesboro, Ottowa, IL; Freeport, IL; Jonesboro,

IL; Charleston, IL; Galesburg, IL; IL; Charleston, IL; Galesburg, IL; Quincy, IL; Alton IL.Quincy, IL; Alton IL.

Round 2Round 2

In places life Freeport, IL, 15,000 In places life Freeport, IL, 15,000 people would gather for the debate. people would gather for the debate. Because of this, the Freeport Because of this, the Freeport Doctrine was written, which stated Doctrine was written, which stated states had the right to have slavery states had the right to have slavery excluded or included.excluded or included.

Round 3Round 3

The topic for all of the debates was The topic for all of the debates was centered around the institution of centered around the institution of slavery.slavery.

Because of this, every debate was Because of this, every debate was fiery and controversial. In the end, fiery and controversial. In the end, the people would decide who’s voice the people would decide who’s voice was not only strongest, but most was not only strongest, but most reasonablereasonable

Knockout!Knockout!

Stephen A. Douglas won the senate Stephen A. Douglas won the senate seat. However, rest assured, he did seat. However, rest assured, he did not win the race for president in the not win the race for president in the future.future.

CreditsCredits

http://www.mrlincolnandfreedom.org/http://www.mrlincolnandfreedom.org/inside.asp?ID=21&subjectID=2inside.asp?ID=21&subjectID=2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abrahamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln#Lincoln.E2.80.93Douglas_d_Lincoln#Lincoln.E2.80.93Douglas_debates_of_1858ebates_of_1858

http://www.stephenadouglas.org/douhttp://www.stephenadouglas.org/douglas-biography.htmlglas-biography.html

http://www.illinoiscivilwar.org/http://www.illinoiscivilwar.org/debates.htmldebates.html