aug 21, 1858 - Lincoln-Douglas Debates

Description:

Abraham Lincoln, running under the new Democratic party, raced against incumbent republican Stephen Douglas for the Illinois senate seat. Lincoln debated on an abolitionist platform, though he denied his opponents' claims that he believed blacks were equal; Douglas believed the issue of states' rights should be left to popular sovereignty, while Lincoln believed a divided U.S. would collapse. The fervor of the election sectionalized Illinois voters, not helped by a slew of Republican smear campaigns painting Lincoln as believing blacks were equal.

Added to timeline:

Date:

Images: