Final answer:
The Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 established Abraham Lincoln as a prominent national political figure and set the stage for his presidential bid in 1860. They centered around the divisive issue of slavery and had a significant impact on public opinion and the political climate of the time.
Step-by-step explanation:
Significance of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates
The Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 were a series of seven encounters between Abraham Lincoln, the Republican candidate, and Stephen Douglas, the incumbent Democratic senator for Illinois. While the debates themselves were primarily focused on the issue of slavery and its expansion into new territories, they did not lead to the immediate abolition of slavery, nor did they precipitate the secession of Southern states. However, these debates were significant as they established Lincoln as a prominent political figure on the national stage.
During the debates, Abraham Lincoln eloquently articulated his opposition to the extension of slavery, contrasting sharply with Stephen Douglas's support of popular sovereignty. Although Douglas ultimately won reelection to the Senate, the extensive media coverage of the debates brought Lincoln's ideas and his political persona into the spotlight across the nation. This exposure was crucial in raising his profile among voters in both the North and the South, setting the stage for his future presidential campaign.
The debates also played a pivotal role in the political realignment of Illinois, offering an opportunity for the newly-formed Republican Party to gain traction against the previously dominant Democrats, due in part to the growing discontent with the spread of slavery. Despite Lincoln's loss in the Senate race, the political dialogue of the time was irreversibly shaped by the arguments he put forth during these debates, laying the foundation for the ideological battles that would culminate in the Civil War.
In summary, the correct answer to the question posed is (b) The debates established Lincoln as a prominent political figure, as evidence by the increased recognition he received and his subsequent successful bid for the presidency in the 1860 election.