The Lincoln-Douglas debates are considered one of the “most significant statements in American political history” (Johannsen). The debates stem from the 1858 senatorial campaign between Stephen Douglas, a Democratic senator, and Abraham Lincoln, a Republican candidate. The two politicians debated publicly in seven of Illinois' nine congressional districts. By Election Day, November 2, Illinois citizens were aware of the major issues related to each man's political position (Schulmeister). The debates foresaw the issues the nation would face in the presidential election of 1860. Although many topics were covered in these debates, the one that generated the most controversy was that of slavery, particularly its role in territories and future states (Encyclopedia Britannica). Other topics discussed throughout the debates were "the power of states to control slavery within their own borders and whether the Dred Scott decision was reasonable" (Schulmeister). Douglas and Lincoln's views on the expansion of slavery were diverse. Stephen Douglas was ...