Final answer:
Stephen Douglas accused the Republican Party of being abolitionist and supporting miscegenation, labeling them as 'Black Republicans' who threatened the Constitution and the intentions of the Founding Fathers. Lincoln countered, stating he did not support racial equality but opposed the dehumanization of blacks. The debates emphasized the sharp political divide on the issue of slavery.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, Stephen Douglas sought to portray the Republican Party as promoting abolitionism and miscegenation, claiming they threatened the Constitution. Douglas labeled Abraham Lincoln and his supporters as "Black Republicans,” insinuating that they were in favor of racial equality and the end of the racial status quo that favored whites. Additionally, Douglas accused Republicans of wanting to upend what the Founders of the country had established.
In attempts to counter these accusations, Lincoln adamantly stated he was not in favor of the social and political equality of the races despite his arguments against the dehumanization of black individuals. However, the centerpiece of Douglas's campaign remained his insinuations that Republican policies would lead to race-mixing and a departure from the principles of the Founding Fathers. These debates played a crucial role in defining the political landscape leading up to the Civil War and the 1860 Presidential Election.