Question

What is Douglas's main accusation about Lincoln?

a) Lincoln supports radical abolitionists
b) Lincoln accepted the Dred Scott decision, extending slavery to northern states
c) Lincoln's opinions change for votes from different groups
d) Lincoln would promote violating the Constitution by forcing states to abolish slavery

Answer 1

Douglas's main accusation about Lincoln, as presented in, is that Lincoln's opinions change for votes from different groups. (option C)

Step-by-step explanation:

Douglas's main accusation about Lincoln, as presented in option C, is that Lincoln's opinions change for votes from different groups. Stephen A. Douglas, Lincoln's political opponent in the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858, argued that Lincoln tailored his positions on slavery and other issues based on the political sentiments of different constituencies. Douglas contended that Lincoln lacked consistency in his views and was willing to adapt his stance to gain support from diverse voter demographics, an accusation aimed at undermining Lincoln's credibility and principles.

Douglas's central claim is that Lincoln's political positions were opportunistic and shifted according to the audience, a charge that played a role in the political discourse of the time and highlighted the tensions surrounding the issue of slavery in the pre-Civil War era.