The Lincoln-Douglas debates were a series
of formal political debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas
in a contest for one of Illinois Senate seats. Lincoln went on to
lose the election to Douglas. The debates, however, helped propel
Lincoln to National Prominence. The debates also present an
elegant summary of the key political controversies of the day.
Study of the Abraham Lincoln speech in
the First Douglas-Lincoln debate gives key insight into the mind and
thinking of Abraham Lincoln. We also can see Lincoln's eloquence, and
oratory style. We focus here on the first debate, held on August
21, 1858 in Ottawa Illinois.
Senator Douglas Speech in the First Lincoln-Douglas Debate
Abraham Lincoln's Speech in the First Lincoln-Douglas Debate
Senator Douglas Response to
Abraham Lincoln
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