Dear John,
In 1858, a U.S. Senate race in Illinois showcased competing ideologies on the issue of slavery and the institution's westward expansion. Democratic Senator Stephen Douglas and Republican challenger Abraham Lincoln discussed the issue in the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates that took place across 7 different cities in Illinois. Should local citizens determine through a democratic vote if western territories would allow slavery or not? Or should the issue not be put to a vote, since slavery contradicted our nation's higher principles of equality and justice and its spread could not be allowed? Polite, direct, and powerful, these debates can teach us much about civil discourse, our political process, and the historical context of the
nation on the eve of civil war. Visit our Lincoln-Douglas Debates page for a ready-to-use activity to lead your students through questions like these.
Watch our Scholar Talk episode on the Lincoln-Douglas debates featuring Allen Guelzo for more background on the debates. | 
