Final answer:
The main source of conflict between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas in the 1858 Illinois Senate race was the issue of slavery. These debates, known as the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, exposed contrasting views on slavery's expansion and popular sovereignty, with Lincoln taking a strong stance against it. Although Douglas secured the Senate seat, the debates elevated Lincoln's national prominence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Main Source of Conflict in the 1858 Illinois Senate Race
The central issue of conflict and disagreement between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas during the Illinois Senate race in 1858 was the issue of slavery and its expansion. These candidates engaged in a series of debates, known as the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, which highlighted the acute national division over slavery. The debates were set against the backdrop of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, the turmoil in Kansas, and the Dred Scott decision, all of which contributed to the heightened sectional crisis between the North and South.
Stephen Douglas was known for his stance on popular sovereignty, which allowed territories to decide for themselves whether to allow slavery. Although this position was intended to appease both pro- and anti-slavery factions, it failed to address the moral implications of slavery itself. On the other hand, Abraham Lincoln argued against the expansion of slavery, stating that "A house divided against itself cannot stand...this government cannot endure, permanently, half slave and half free." His eloquence and moral stance against slavery during these debates significantly raised his national profile and laid the groundwork for his future presidency.
Ultimately, while Douglas won the Senate seat, the debates catapulted Lincoln into the national spotlight and set the stage for the 1860 presidential election. The Lincoln-Douglas Debates remain a significant example of political discourse in American history, particularly regarding the contentious issue of slavery.