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How Did Lincoln-Douglas Debates And How Did They Shape The Nation's Future?

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What were the key issues at stake during the historic Lincoln-Douglas debates, and how did they shape the nation's future? The Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 are pivotal movements in American political history. Some people believe that it was mainly about the state's rights, while others say it was more about slavery. This was a big deal in American history because it changed the future of the U.S. by settling the state's rights and abolishing slavery. This debate was about two big-time politicians who were running for the Senate seat in Illinois in 1858. The debates happened in seven different cities in Illinois and many people from all over the U.S. came to hear them talk. Abraham Lincoln’s view on slavery was better than Stepah Douglas’s because he believed that slavery was morally wrong and that everyone should be treated equally. Abraham Lincoln was an abolitionist and he was against slavery because he thought it was wrong. In the first debate in Ottawa, Lincoln made it clear that he was against the spread of slavery. He said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand,” This means that half the country can’t be free and the other half have slaves. On the other hand, Douglas was more about the states’ rights because he believed that each state should decide for …show more content…

He warned of the consequences that could come in the future if we fail to stop slavery. He declared “We shall not fall -- if we stand firm, we shall not fail.” He used pathos in his speech to give the crowd a sense of urgency and concern, giving people fear about the future of the country. This speech was effective in getting people to take action to prevent the spread of slavery. This is when Douglas’s continuous stance on popular sovereignty started to fade because Lincoln gave a public opinion to fight against

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