Lincoln Douglas Debates
Brielyn howard
In 1858, as the country moved ever closer to disunion, two politicians from Illinois attracted the attention of the whole nation. From August 21 until October 15, Stephen Douglas battled Abraham Lincoln in face to face debates around the state, and these series of events were eventually names the Lincoln douglas debates. The Lincoln Douglas debates were a series of seven formal political debates between the challenger, Abraham Lincoln, and the incumbent, Stephen A. Douglas in a campaign for one of Illinois' two United States Senate seats. Both Lincoln and Douglas agreed to debate in seven of the nine Congressional Districts in Illinois and seven where Douglas had not already spoken. In each debate either Douglas or Lincoln would open with an hour address. Then the other would have the oppertunity to speak for an hour and a half, and first then had 30 minutes of rebuttal. In the seven debates, Douglas, as the incumbent, was allowed to go first four times. Tens and thousands of spectators came from all over Illinois and nearby states by train, by canal-boat, by wagon, by buggy, and on horseback. The audiences participated by shouting questions and cheering the participants with great excitement . The debates attracted tens of thousands of voters and newspaper reporters from across the nation. Although Lincoln lost the election, these debates launched him into national prominence which eventually led to his election as the 16th President of the United States.
First Debate Ottawa, Illinois, August 21, 1858
Second Debate Freeport, Illinois, August 27, 1858
Third Debate Jonesboro, Illinois, September 15, 1858
Fourth Debate Charleston, Illinois, September 18, 1858
Fifth Debate Galesburg, Illinois, October 7, 1858
Sixth Debate Quincy, Illinois, October 13, 1858
Seventh Debate Alton, Illinois, October 15, 1858
Second Debate Freeport, Illinois, August 27, 1858
Third Debate Jonesboro, Illinois, September 15, 1858
Fourth Debate Charleston, Illinois, September 18, 1858
Fifth Debate Galesburg, Illinois, October 7, 1858
Sixth Debate Quincy, Illinois, October 13, 1858
Seventh Debate Alton, Illinois, October 15, 1858