Lincoln & Douglas The Senate race of ILL. Of 1858 was a center of national attention. It pitted Democrat Stephen A. Douglas against challenger Republican Abraham Lincoln.

Lincoln & Douglas Douglas was considered a likely candidate for president. Lincoln at that time was an unknown.

Lincoln & Douglas Douglas disliked slavery but thought its controversy would interfere with the nations growth. He thought the issue could be resolved through popular sovereignty.

Lincoln & Douglas Lincoln was an intelligent successful lawyer like Douglas coming from a modest background being brought up in the back country of Kentucky.

Lincoln & Douglas Lincoln had little formal education, but political instincts. Lincoln saw slavery as a moral wrong, and admitted there was no easy way to eliminate it where it already existed. Lincoln believed though, slavery should not be allowed to spread.

Lincoln – Douglas Debates Since Lincoln was not as well known as Douglas, Lincoln challenged Douglas to a series of debates. Both met in Aug, Sept, and Oct. of 1858 in towns and cities throughout ILL.

Lincoln – Douglas Debates The debates topic obviously was the slavery issue. During the debate, Lincoln pressed Douglas’ views on popular sovereignty. Could the people of a territory legally exclude slavery before getting statehood? P.4 p.7

Lincoln – Douglas Debates Douglas stated that people could exclude slavery by refusing to pass laws protecting slaveholders rights. Douglas’ response satisfied antislavery followers, but lost him support in the South. This became known as the Freeport Doctrine.

Lincoln – Douglas Debates Douglas claimed that Lincoln wanted African Americans to be equal to whites which Lincoln denied. But Lincoln Said, “in the right to eat the bread… which his own hands earns {an African American} is my equal and the equal of Douglas, and the equal of every living man.”

Lincoln – Douglas Debates Lincoln said the real issue is “between the men who think slavery is wrong and those who do not think it is wrong. The Republican Party thinks it is wrong.” Lincoln lost the election for the Senate, but gained a national reputation.

Raid on Harpers Ferry After the 1858 elections, Southerners began to feel threatened by the growing Republican Power. On 16 October 1859 abolitionist John Brown led 18 men, both whites and African Americans, on a raid on Harpers Ferry, VA.

Raid on Harpers Ferry His target was an Arsenal (Storage facility for weapons and Ammunition) Brown, who had led a rebellion in Kansas, hoped to start a rebellion against slaveholders by arming enslaved African Americans. His raid was financed by abolitionist groups.

Raid on Harpers Ferry Brown was quickly defeated by local citizens and along with federal troops. Brown would later be convicted of treason and sentenced to hang.

Raid on Harpers Ferry His hanging outraged those in the North. Some antislavery groups, though denounced his use of force. Many though viewed him as a hero. Writer Ralph Waldo Emerson called him a martyr and his death became a rallying point for abolitionists.

Raid on Harpers Ferry When Southerners learned of Brown’s affiliation to abolitionists, this added to the Southern fears of a great Northern Conspiracy against them. The Nation was now on the brink of disaster.