USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -From August to October of 1858, Abraham Lincoln, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate from Illinois, took on the incumbent Democratic Senator Stephen A. Douglas in a series of seven debates.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Lincoln–Douglas debates were a series of seven debates between Abraham Lincoln, the Republican Party candidate for the United States Senate from Illinois, and incumbent Senator Stephen Douglas, the Democratic Party candidate.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Lincoln-Douglas debates were a series of formal political debates between the challenger, Abraham Lincoln, and the incumbent, Stephen A. Douglas, in a campaign for one of Illinois’ two United States Senate seats.

Detailed explanation-4: -The 7th and final debate between Senatorial candidates Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas was held on October 15, 1858, in Alton, Illinois. Today bronze statues of Douglas and Lincoln stand to commemorate the event at Lincoln Douglas Square in Alton.

Detailed explanation-5: -The Lincoln-Douglas debates captivated the nation throughout 1858, but there was no real winner. Douglas went on to win the 1858 Illinois Senatorial campaign, but ruined his national prospects in the process. Lincoln perhaps was the true winner as his performance catapulted him to the presidency in 1860.