In 1858, many important ideas were spread through letters. Thus, during the Lincoln Douglas Debates, Lincoln and Douglas corresponded with many contemporaries concerning the senatorial race. These letters provide an excellent window into the minds of these great men. One such letter, sent August 25, 1858, was a letter written to Lincoln by Schuyler Colfax advising Lincoln on such matters as the Dred Scott Decision and the spread of slavery. This is just one letter of many found on the documents section of the Lincoln Douglas major topic page. House Divided has a dearth of information concerning the Lincoln Douglas Debates.
22
Jun
09
Trace The Lincoln Douglas Debates Through Lincoln Letters
Posted by Published in Antebellum (1840-1861), Letters & Diaries Themes: Contests & Elections
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Many of the Lincoln letters available here are useful to a classroom teacher. It is one thing to try to convey to your students political ideas and motives, it is completely another to have students use Lincoln’s own letters as an insight to the political atmosphere of the time. This collection would be particularly helpful in emphasizing the real damage of sectional conflict in the 1850’s- students today have a hard time understanding a country that was torn apart to the extent it was. This collection of actual letters helps to show what issues were of importance to the people of the time.
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