The first of seven Lincoln–Douglas debates is…

August 1858 CE

The first of seven Lincoln–Douglas debates is held in Ottawa, Illinois on August 21, 1858, between Abraham Lincoln, the Republican candidate for the United States Senate from Illinois, and incumbent Senator Stephen Douglas, the Democratic Party candidate.

At this time, U.S. senators are elected by state legislatures; thus Lincoln and Douglas are trying for their respective parties to win control of the Illinois General Assembly.

The debates preview  the issues that Lincoln will face in the aftermath of his victory in the 1860 presidential election.

Although Illinois is a free state, the main issue discussed in all seven debates is slavery in the United States.

Locations
Ottawa La Salle Illinois United States View →

People
Abraham Lincoln View → Stephen A. Douglas View →

Groups
United States of America (US, USA) (Washington DC) View → Illinois, State of (U.S.A.) View →

Topics
Party System, Third (United States) View →

Commodities
Slaves View →

Subjects
Labor and Service View → Government View → Custom and Law View → Movements View →

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