Abraham Lincoln Background Info.

Birthplace:  Present day Hodgenville, Kentucky

Political History: 

1832- Lincoln ran for a seat in the Illinois House of Representatives as a member of the Whig party, but was defeated.

1834- Lincoln won a seat in the Illinois legislature.

1846- Lincoln was elected as a United States Representative in Illinois.

Lincoln favored the Wilmot Proviso, which opposed slavery in the territory known as the Mexican Cession.

Lincoln left the failing Whig party and became a Republican.  He opposed Stephen A. Douglas in Douglas' bid for re-election to the United States Senate. (Lincoln-Douglas Debates)

1860-  Lincoln received the Republican nomination to the presidency, opposing Stephen Douglas.

Stephen A. Douglas Background Info.

Birthplace:  Brandon, Vermont

Political History:

1842-  Douglas was elected to the United States House of Representatives.

1847-  Douglas was elected to the United States Senate

Douglas helped create and support the Compromise of 1850 and the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which was seen as favoring slavery in the new territories.

1858-  Douglas won his third term to the United States Senate. (Lincoln-Douglas Debates)

1860-  Douglas received the Democratic nomination to the presidency, opposing Lincoln.

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This website was created by

Stoye Young

mailto: syoung0@georgetowncollege.edu 

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