Lincoln-Douglas and Recent Debates

1.The Lincoln-Douglas debates took place in 1858 in 7 public debates and the key issue of the debates was whether or not slavery would be allowed in new territories of the United States. I thought the Alton debate was very interesting because of what Douglas said, "The federal government should not establish laws establishing slavery because each state deserved to do so itself."

Lincoln had a completely different view. If we would let the states choose for themselves slavery would continue. Lincoln apposed slavery, he supported federalism and wanted it to be up to the government.

In 1854 Lincoln was upset by the anti-slavery agitation which was created by the Actís repeal of the Missouri Compromise shortly after the Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed by congress. He did everything he could to support Anti-Kansas-Nebraska candidates when they were up for election.

2. In class we discussed the recent presidential debates and some some of the candidates policies. What I found interesting is that McCain switched his motto to change from experience while Obama's same motto was change.This put McCain ahead of Obama in terms of number of votes. Even though McCain said he wanted change he did not change any of his policies. So it made me wonder if people were leaning toward McCain because of his skin color. I think changing his motto was just a move of desperation, he changed what he believed in just for a few more votes. Other blogs such as Demographics and Politics and Lincoln vs Douglas & Obama vs. McCain have some of the same views as mine.


Sources Cited:
Finch, Edward. The Lincoln-Douglas Debates. Freeport, Illinois: Lincoln-Douglas Society: 2000. Available from: http://www.Lincoln-Douglas.org ; accessed [8-9-08]