The debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas in 1858, were quite intense and contentious. The debates were held during a time of great tension in the United States, as the country was deeply divided over the issue of slavery and the possibility of its expansion into new territories. Lincoln and Douglas were both candidates for a Senate seat in Illinois, and their debates were seen as a way to voice their positions on the issue.
The atmosphere of the debates was quite heated, as the two men held strong opposing views on the issue of slavery. Lincoln, who was against the expansion of slavery, argued that it was a moral issue and that slavery was fundamentally wrong. Douglas, on the other hand, believed that states should have the right to decide whether or not to allow slavery within their borders.
The debates were well attended, and thousands of people came to hear the two men speak. They were held in towns and cities across Illinois and were widely covered by newspapers. People were very engaged with the political discourse of that moment and the debates had a great deal of public interest and engagement. The debates were also seen as a way for the two men to gain national exposure and gain support for the presidential campaign of 1860.