The Lincoln-Douglas debates were a series of seven debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas during the 1858 U.S. Senate race in Illinois. The debates addressed the issue of slavery and the extension of slavery into the territories. The debates drew national attention and solidified Lincoln's reputation as a skilled orator and politician. They also helped to lay the groundwork for Lincoln's eventual election as President in 1860. The debates are considered a significant moment in American political history and are often cited as an example of the importance of public debates in shaping public opinion.
