Stephen A. Douglas was born in Brandon, Vermont on April 23, 1813. His father, a young physician of high standing, died suddenly when Stephen was two months old, and the widow with her two children retired to a farm near Brandon. This is where Stephen lived with her until he was fifteen years old. He attended school during the three winter months and working on the farm the remainder of the year. He wanted to earn his own living so he went to Middlebury and became an apprentice in the cabinetmaking
The Lincoln-Douglas Debates are considered among “the most significant statements in American political history” (Johannsen). The debates derived from the senatorial campaign in 1858 between Stephen Douglas, the Democratic senator, and Abraham Lincoln, the Republican candidate. The two politicians debated publicly throughout seven of Illinois’ nine congressional districts. By Election Day on November 2nd, Illinois citizens were aware of the primary issues of each man’s political stance (Schulmeister)
place in history arguably leaves an effect that lasts much longer than just the initial outcome. The Lincoln Douglas Debates are by far one of the truest examples of this happening. The seven debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas that took place in 1858 had extreme importance in Illinois that created effects that decided the presidential election of 1860. The Lincoln Douglas debates were a series of several debates that took place all over the state of Illinois. In these debates, two
against Stephen Douglas for Senate (Digital History). It was at that moment Lincoln accepted the Republican nomination when he said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this Government cannot endure permanently half-slave and half-free” (Purdue University). Lincoln felt that the Union would not fall, but he did think that would stop being divided. Stephen Douglas was known as Democratic incumbent. Douglas was a short, stocky, little man nicknamed, “Little Giant”. Douglas brought
and Utah were all territories becoming states and none were willing to lend themselves to slavery. Debate over these territories raged on in congress until 1850 when a compromise was proposed by Henry Clay. The compromise passed by Senator Stephen A. Douglas, allowed California to be admitted as a free state and abolished the slave trade in the District of Columbia. As a concession to the south, congress also passed the Fugitive Slave Law and gave the New Mexico Territory the ability to determine
conflicts, pain, creditability, or human interest"(Lies p.9). Several examples, including the lions from our history, in Pageant include Christopher Columbus, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Woodrow Wilson. Others are defamed, like Stephen A. Douglas, and John Brown. In Pageant Christopher Columbus is one of the first people named as relevant to our history. He is built up as a hero, with words such as "a man of vision, energy, resourcefulness, and courage" used to describe him (Pageant
The House Divided Speech was an address given by Abraham Lincoln in 1858 with the goal to make a distinction between himself and Douglas, and to openly talk about a prognostication for time to come. Unlike Douglas, who had long supported popular sovereignty, under which the settlers in each new territory determine their own place as a slave or free state, Lincoln considered that all states had to be the same in order to become a united country. Although Lincoln’s intentions seemed to be pure, the
passed by the U.S. Congress on May 30, 1854. It was introduced by Senator Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois. It enabled people in the territories of Kansas and Nebraska to decide if they wanted slavery or not in their borders. The act helped to reverse the Missouri Compromise of 1820 (My Notes). Which banned slavery north of 36°30’ N latitude, the line that limited slavery (http://www.history.com/topics/kansas-nebraska-act). Douglas called this “popular sovereignty.” “Before the law they would not have
Before engaging in the debates with Senator Stephen A. Douglas, Lincoln was relatively unknown in the political world and was just beginning his career in politics. Abraham Lincoln’s reputation was just starting to grow, and his life was about to make a drastic change. The Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 were a turning point in Abraham Lincoln’s political career. After being nominated to the Illinois legislature, Lincoln gave his famous “House Divided” speech which caused much grief between the North
other candidates, Abraham Lincoln, Stephen Douglas, and John Bell, did not support slavery. Abraham Lincoln won the election of 1860 by a clear majority in the Electoral College; however, he had only received about 40% of the popular vote. The election of 1860 was viewed by many Southerners as the tipping point and resulted in the secession of 11 states. The election started off with the split of the Democratic Party between the North and the South. When Stephen Douglas' platform for the vision of the
Emancipation Proclamation, which freed all slaves and in his last speech, even recommended extending voting to blacks. Although Lincoln’s feeling about blacks and slavery was quite constant over time, the evidence found between his debate with Stephen A. Douglas and his Gettysburg Address, proves that his political position and actions towards slavery have changed profoundly. Abraham Lincoln was an intricate yet prosperous person, shown through his movement from poverty to politics. Lincoln was born
antislavery, which added another party to the presidential race drawing votes away. Frederick Douglas and Lincoln opposed the Mexican War, seeing it as a creation of slavery. Disputes with House and Senate paralyzed the nation. California’s admission as a state without slavery created a dilemma resulting in the Compromise of 1850. Clay’s efforts at a compromise failed. William Seward and Stephen Douglas made a deal for the passage of five bills, temporarily hushing matters. Stowe’s novel, Uncle Tom’s
The Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858 was a very influential event that occurred in American history and has much significance, even till this day. The debates were in contest for the United States Senate seat in Illinois. The main topic involved in the debates was based around slavery and the separation of the union because of it. Both Lincoln and Douglas refer to the U.S. Constitution in their remarks and state different opinions surrounding what they interpret the meaning of certain parts regarding
stop slavery. Deal?” I offered Douglas. “Fine.” Douglas said defeated. He then turns to the man behind him. “Tell everyone the party is cancelled. We can meet up when I win the debate to discuss these things further. Until then make sure you invite them to the debates.” Douglas then turns and leaves. I then begin to walk home to organize some notes for the debates ahead. I work on my notes all day. That's when an idea hit me. I need to gain followers just like Douglas . I will invite some of my close
fooled by history that he loved the Negro, which in fact he did not. He has been quoted many times of talking down about the Negro and talking about how there will never be an equal society between the white man and the black race. In many Lincoln-Douglas debates he talked of this. I will say then that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races—that I am not nor ever hav...
Lincoln and Stephen Douglas ran against each other for presidency and the US. Senate. Lincoln had lost against Douglas for the Senate seat, and then won for presidency. Lincoln and Douglas had challenged each other with many debates during the election for the Senate seat. There were seven debates that took place. All debates had different topics. A couple of the debates consisted of many key issues such as policy, character, and slavery (Benoit). Both speakers, Lincoln and Douglas, touch on the
people of the United States wanted to know whether the new territories would be admitted as free states or slave states. In order to avoid fighting between the slave states of the South and the free states of the North, Henry Clay (Whig) and Stephen Douglas (Democrat) drafted the Compromise of 1850. Although the compromise was created to stop conflict ... ... middle of paper ... ...om’s Cabin in 1852, the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, the Dred Scott Decision of 1857, John Brown’s raid on Harper’s
When the founding fathers established the successful United States of America, they never would have imagined the country separated. The unity of America became something that was enamored by other countries, until the issues of 1850-60s arose. Looking back in history, several occasions present themselves as instigators of the Civil War. Disagreements regarding slavery surrounded the primary reasons of succession and the Civil War. Citizens displayed views completely opposite of each other. On one
Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln, 16th president of the United States of America, was, some say, the greatest president so far in the history of the United States of America. President Lincoln was truly a great president. People remember him even if they don’t remember any of the other presidents. Lincoln has truly made a huge impact in the daily life of all the citizens even today. Now, I will talk about his childhood, his life before he was president, his life during presidency, and what impact
Abraham Lincoln’s Assassination What happened to our sixteenth president? Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1803 in a log cabin at Hodgenville, Kentucky. His parents were Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln was nicknamed “Honest Abe” or also “The Great Emancipation”. Abraham Lincoln was a well-respected boy in his village. When Lincoln was nine years old, his mother passed away. She died of a milk sickness. His father, Thomas Lincoln, remarried one year after. His