Research Guides: COMM 2335: Argument and Debate: Lincoln-Douglas Debates

Debate #1: August 21, 1858

The Debate

Lincoln-Douglas Debate #1
The article presents the text of the first joint debate between American political candidates Abraham Lincoln and Senator Stephen Douglas, which was held in Ottawa on August 21, 1858. Douglas's speech begins with background on the Whig and Democratic parties, the Kansas and Nebraska bill, the abolition doctrine, and the Black Republican party convention in Illinois. Lincoln's reply includes a portion of a speech made in Peoria that shows his position on the Missouri Compromise and the injustice of slavery. Other topics in the debate are the sovereignty of states to decide the slave question.

Background Information

Some Key Topics

Abraham Lincoln's speech in Peoria, Illinois on October 16, 1854
Black Republican party convention in Illinois
slavery
The abolition doctrine
Popular sovereignty

Debate #2: August 27, 1858

The Debate

Lincoln-Douglas Debate #2
The article presents the text of the second debate between American political candidates Abraham Lincoln and Senator Stephen Douglas, which was held in Freeport, Maine, on August 27, 1858. Lincoln begins with his views on the Fugitive Slave law, admission of slave states into the Union, abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, and prohibition of slave trade between states. Lincoln asserts his opinion that it is the duty of Congress to prohibit slavery in American territories. Douglas talks about the Black Republican platform and says that he favors state self-determination of the slavery issue. He also mentions a charge of corruption against the U.S. Supreme Court concerning the Nebraska Bill. Lincoln's rejoinder refers to Douglas's statement about "vulgarity and blackguardism." The debate moderator, Turner, is mentioned.

Background Information

Some Key Topics

Fallout from the Kansas-Nebraska Act
Fall of the Whig party and birth of the Republican party
Black Republican platform

Debate #3: September 15, 1858

The Debate

Lincoln-Douglas Debate #3
The article presents the text of the third debate between American political candidates Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, which was held in Jonesboro on September 15, 1858. Douglas begins his speech with the differences between the Whig, Republican, and Democratic parties, the issue of federal, state, and territorial relations in American democracy, and abolitionism. Lincoln replies with his opinion that slavery must restricted from new territories and talks about the Missouri Compromise, the Compromise of 1850, and the Nebraska bill. Legislative and constitutional aspects of the fugitive slave law is mentioned.

Background Information

Some Key Topics

Differences between Democrat, Republican, and Whig parties
Regional disagreements over slavery in America
abolitionism
Legislative and Constitutional aspects of the Fugitive Slave Law

Debate #4: September 18, 1858

The Debate

Lincoln-Douglas Debate #4
The article presents the text of the fourth debate between American political candidates Abraham Lincoln and Senator Stephen Douglas on September 18, 1858, at Charleston. Lincoln begins with his views on social and political equality, intermarriage between white and black people, the Toombs bill, and Judge Trumbull's speech about the construction of the Kansas constitution. Senator Douglas offers his views on Lincoln's abolitionism, Trumbull's Alton speech, Freesoilism, the Black Republican and Whig parties, and the Compromise measures of 1850 allowing states to decide for themselves whether to allow slavery. Lincoln replies to the issue of negro citizenship, mentions the Missouri Compromise, the Nebraska bill, and the Lecompton Constitution, and introduces Orlando B. Ficklin to support Lincoln's stance on the Mexican war.

Background Information

Some Key Topics

Social and political equality
The Toombs bill
Judge Trumbull's speech about the Kansas constitution
Judge Trumbull's Alton speech

Debate #5: October 7 1858

The Debate

Lincoln-Douglas Debate #5
The article presents the text of the fifth debate between American political candidates Abraham Lincoln and Senator Stephen Douglas at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, in 1858. Douglas expresses his support of the Kansas-Nebraska bill, which would allow states to decide for themselves whether to be slave or free. Douglas discusses the issue of allowing states to belong to the United States while maintaining slavery. Social and political relations between Northern and Southern U.S. states are described. Douglas criticizes Lincoln's views and policies on slavery. Lincoln's response to Douglas includes comments on the civil rights of African Americans, and an explanation of his views on the abolition of slavery. Lincoln comments on the key issues of the Dred Scott Supreme Court case. Debate over Constitutional law is presented.

Background Information

Some Key Topics

Kansas-Nebraska bill
Key issues of the Dred Scott decision
North and South - political and social relations
Civil rights of African Americans
Constitutional law

Debate #6: October 13, 1858

The Debate

Lincoln-Douglas Debate #6
The article presents the text of the sixth debate between American political candidates Abraham Lincoln and Senator Stephen Douglas in Quincy, Illinois, in 1858. Lincoln describes the formation of the Republican Party in Illinois. Lincoln states that Douglas incorrectly accused him of inconsistent political views and misquoted him in earlier debates. The political impact of the Dred Scott Supreme Court case is discussed. The right of states to decide the issue of slavery independently is examined. Lincoln discusses the ethical aspects of slavery in the U.S. Douglas's response to Lincoln includes comments on the Republican Party's platform on slavery. Douglas accuses Lincoln of false statements about his views on the Dred Scott case. Douglas defends the right of states to decide the issue of slavery independently.

Background Information

Dred Scott v. Sandford

Some Key Topics

Formation of the Republican Party
Political impact of the Dred Scott Supreme Court case
Right of states to decide on the issue of slavery
Ethical aspects of slavery
Republican Party's platform on slavery

Debate #7: October 15, 1858

The Debate

Lincoln-Douglas Debate #7
The article presents the text of the seventh debate between American political candidates Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas held at Alton on October 15, 1858. Douglas compares his views on slavery in the United States with those expressed by Lincoln in prior debates. Douglas discusses whether the Union may be divided between slave and free states. Douglas criticizes Lincoln's views on the moral and ethical aspects of slavery. Douglas argues for the right of states to make laws on slavery. Lincoln's response to Douglas includes comments on the political impact of the Dred Scott Supreme Court case, and a rebuttal of Douglas's criticism. Lincoln comments on the relevance of the U.S. Declaration of Independence to the civil rights of African Americans. The application of Constitutional law to the issue of slavery is addressed.

Background Information

Some Key Topics

Dividing the Union between slave and free states
Moral and ethical aspects of slavery
States rights to make laws on slavery
Political impact of the Dred Scott Supreme Court case
Application of Constitutional law to the issue of slavery

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COMM 2335: Argument and Debate

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Debate #1: August 21, 1858

The Debate

Background Information

Some Key Topics

Debate #2: August 27, 1858

The Debate

Background Information

Some Key Topics

Debate #3: September 15, 1858

The Debate

Background Information

Some Key Topics

Debate #4: September 18, 1858

The Debate

Background Information

Some Key Topics

Debate #5: October 7 1858

The Debate

Background Information

Some Key Topics

Debate #6: October 13, 1858

The Debate

Background Information

Some Key Topics

Debate #7: October 15, 1858

The Debate

Background Information

Some Key Topics

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