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Whether or not slavery should expand into new territories. Lincoln and Douglas did NOT debate on whether or not to *end* slavery, just whether it should be allowed in the new territories and states being accepted into the U.S. Lincoln, as a member of the Free Soil party, thought that slavery shouldn't be expanded, while Douglass believed it should.

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During the 1858 Senatorial race in Illinois, Lincoln of the newly formed Republican Party and the incumbent Senator, Stephan Douglas squared off in a series of public debates. The main issue between Lincoln and Douglas was the issue of slavery. Lincoln's main position was that as Senator, he would favor any legislation or policies that would curtail the expansion of slavery or even help abolish it. Lincoln claimed that Douglas was in favor of "nationalizing the institution of slavery".

Douglas had already as a senator addressed the issue of slavery, and in the debates with Lincoln, asserted that he favored what seemed to be the "ongoing policy" concerning slavery of allowing the people in a territory to vote before the territory became a State. They could vote either way on the issue.

Stephan Douglas did retain his senate seat by defeating Lincoln in the November 1858 election.

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Q: What was the main issue debated by Lincoln and Douglas?
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What debates did Abe have?

Abraham Lincoln debated Stephen Douglas, during the US Senate campaign, in Illinois, in 1858. They debated 7 times, in 7 different cities throughout Illinois. The main topic of the debates was the issue of slavery.


What was the main. Issue in the Lincoln-Douglas debates?

slavery in the territories


What office were Lincoln and Douglas running for when they debated?

The Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858 were a series of seven debates between Abraham Lincoln, the Republican candidate for Senate in Illinois, and incumbent Senator Stephen Douglas, the Democratic Party candidate. Although Lincoln was a candidate for the Senate in Illinois, the debates were not directly related to an election of office. At the time, Illinois' Senators were elected by the Illinois Legislators, so the purpose of the debates was to represent their parties (Lincoln for the Republicans and Douglas for the Democrats) in a bid to win control of the Illinois Legislature. The main issue discussed in all seven debates was slavery.


What was the main issue in the debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas in the 1858 Senate campaign?

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What was the main issue in the debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas in 1858?

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