It was one topic, but certainly not the only one. First, it is worth noting that there were seven debates (and for modern students, accustomed to seeing candidates give one minute responses to questions, each candidate spoke for as long as an hour, before giving way to his opponent). As for Manifest Destiny, the belief that America had both the right and the duty to expand and take over more territory, this was indeed a point of contention between the candidates: Douglas generally supported the idea, while Lincoln generally did not. But most historians will tell you the main topic for the debates was the controversy over slavery-- especially whether the spread of slavery should be limited by the federal government, or whether the individual states should be allowed to make the decision to permit it or not.
....The Lincoln Douglas Debates
antislavery forces
In the mid-1850's Douglas and Lincoln began one of the most famous political feuds in American history, it became known as the Lincoln-Douglas debates but the debates actually had began many years earlier. In Illinois's fourth capital, the Vandalia State House is where Douglas and Lincoln had their first debate around 1837. They continued with more debates in early 1840's above Joshua Speed's dry goods store, "where many aspirants politicians met" in Springfield, Illinois. During the 1840 presidential election Douglas made the decision to take their debates outside in the street, which lasted a week. Douglas enjoyed political fights and that is how he got his nickname the "Little Giant". Another reason was the many debates became more personal over Mary Todd "Lincoln's future wife and Douglas's past girlfriend". The famous Lincoln-Douglas debates was in mid-1850's and began over the Kansas-Nebraska Act, that under-minded the Missouri Compromise. Douglas saw it as "Manifest Destiny" but Lincoln saw it as a deliberate spread of slavery into Kansas and other once free-territories. Lincoln was Illinois Republican Party's nomination for senator, and ran against Douglas but even though Lincoln won the debates he still lost the senate to Douglas. Until the Presidential campaign of 1860. With the Democratic Party split, a Republican was sure to win. Lincoln was reserved in his campaign and stayed at home, allowing his supporters to speak for him. Douglas however did not, he campaigned furiously but Lincoln still won both popular and electoral college votes. I
The Lincoln and Douglas debates in 1858, were extensively covered by newspapers in both the North and the South. Northerners followed the debates and by doing so, brought to national attention the views of Abraham Lincoln. Abolitionists in the North were impressed with Abraham Lincoln's views on slavery.
No, at the end of all seven debates between the two men, Douglas beat Lincoln in the election to retain his Illinois senate seat. While it can be said that each man made important points, Senator Douglas had the edge having been the incumbent candidate.
....The Lincoln Douglas Debates
The key issue in the Lincoln-Douglas debates was slavery. Lincoln and Douglas were viewed as contenders for the 1860 presidential election.
In the 1858 election for senator. During this event, Lincoln and Douglas held a series of debates, known as the Lincoln-Douglas debates.
slavery
(an abolitionist)
1858
U.S. senator
antislavery forces
slavery
Ilinois
Aswer
The Lincoln-Douglas Debates - 1976 TV was released on: USA: 8 October 1994