Lincoln vs. Douglas

Defining the issue

• Slavery is morally wrong
• African Americans are people not property

Stating your position

• If all men are created equal,
• according to the Declaration of Independence, and
• African Americans are men, then slavery violates
• the Declaration of Independence.

Main arguments

• Slavery shouldn't be allowed to expand to free states.
• Slaves are people and not property.
• "A house divided against itself cannot stand."
• Douglas's support of popular sovereignty goes
• against the Dredd Scott decision which he also supported.

Closing

• I am not an abolitionist.
• The Constitution states that all men are
• created equal.
• There must be a plan to make slavery
• gradually go away