Performance Assessment

Determining the Deeper Meaning of Key Words as they are Used by the

Writer of a Text

Timeline

The purpose of this assignment is to review primary sources in the context of the time period by understanding how the terms

were used by the actors of the time.

• Method: Using the primary sources and secondary background information below, closely read parts of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates and analyze and write about the positions of these two key leaders in the historical context of 1858. Include relevant and important information about the issues of that time.

Part 1• Read the background passage:

Background• Debates during an Illinois race for the U.S. Senate in 1858

brought Abraham Lincoln and Senator Stephen Douglas together so people could hear where they stood on the issues of the day. The first debate took place in Ottawa, a town in Northern Illinois.

• In 1858, few Americans supported Abolitionism, the movement to end slavery nationwide. There were some Abolitionists in Ottawa. Yet in Egypt, a town in Southern Illinois, there were very few.

• Douglas won the 1858 Senate race, but Lincoln went on to win the Presidential election in 1860.

After the debates ended, they were published in books. The Lincoln-Douglas Debates propelled Abraham Lincoln to a national stage where his popularity grew.

Part 1

U.S. Senator Stephen Douglas at Ottawa, Illinois 1858, “Lincoln-Douglas Debates”(NOTE: Words in parenthesis are comments from the audience.) …I desire to know whether Mr. Lincoln today stands as he did in 1854, in favor of the unconditional repeal of the fugitive slave law. I desire him to answer whether he stands pledged today, as he did in 1854, against the admission of any more slave States into the Union, even if the people want them. I want to know whether he stands pledged against the admission of a new State into the Union with such a Constitution as the people of that State may see fit to make. ("That's it;" "put it at him.") I want to know whether he stands today pledged to the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia. I desire him to answer whether he stands pledged to the prohibition of the slave trade between the different States. ("He does.") I desire to know whether he stands pledged to prohibit slavery in all the territories of the United States, North as well as South of the Missouri Compromise line, ("Kansas too.") I desire him to answer whether he is opposed to the acquisition of any more territory unless slavery is prohibited therein… I ask Abraham Lincoln to answer these questions, in order that when I trot him down to lower Egypt [Illinois], I may put the same questions to him. (Enthusiastic applause.) My principles are the same everywhere. (Cheers and "hark.") I can proclaim them alike in the North, the South, the East, and the West. My principles will apply wherever the Constitution prevails and the American flag waves.

Carefully read the two pieces from speeches by Douglas and Lincoln

Part 1Abraham Lincoln’s Response to DouglasI have no purpose directly or indirectly to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so… but I hold that notwithstanding all this, there is no reason in the world why the Negro is not entitled to all the natural rights enumerated in the Declaration of Independence.

GLOSSARY: Prohibition = To ban or make illegalAcquisition of = To buy or take something Inclination = Wish Enumerated = Listed

Part 21) In the debate, Douglas tried to label Lincoln as an Abolitionist. To do so, Douglas listed policies that Lincoln had supported in the past. Douglas then lists more policies and asks Lincoln to answer whether he supports them. In the chart below, identify as many as you can (5 to 7) of these positions listed by Douglas. Then explain in your own words what each position meant.

Anti-Slavery Policy or Position Mentioned by Douglas

Explanation in your own words

Part 22) Douglas claims Lincoln would hurt the country in important ways. In the box beside each of the quotes from Douglas below, explain what harm he thinks it would do.

Specific Quotes from Douglas What harm does Douglas believe this would do?

I want to know whether against the admission of a new State into the Union with such a Constitution as the people of the State may see fit to make.

I desire Lincoln to answer whether he is opposed to the acquisition of any more territory unless slavery is prohibited there.

Part 3

3) Based on the quoted passage, what do you think Douglas meant by the term, “Abolitionism,” in 1858? What all did it include? Explain thoroughly and clearly in a paragraph or two. Quote evidence from the passage. You may include information that you know about Senator Douglas from your earlier study of this period of history.

Part 4

4) So what was Lincoln’s position on Abolitionism in 1858? In a paragraph or two, fully support your answer using evidence from both passages quoted above. You may also include information that you know about Lincoln from other study of the period. But remember that you are mainly describing Lincoln’s position in 1858, NOT his later positions in 1860 nor as President from 1861-1865 when, of course, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation. You are encouraged to comment on how his position changed over time.

References• Jackson, Calvin. Abraham Lincoln, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing slightly left, taken in Pittsfield,

Illinois, two weeks before the final Lincoln-Douglas debate in Lincoln's unsuccessful bid for the Senate, October 1, 1858. 1858. Photograph. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Washington D.C. Web. 18 Feb 2014. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/cph/item/2009632130/.

• Jackson, Calvin. Abraham Lincoln, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing slightly left, taken in Pittsfield, Illinois, two weeks before the final Lincoln-Douglas debate in Lincoln's unsuccessful bid for the Senate, October 1, 1858. 1911. Photograph. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Washington D.C. Web. 18 Feb 2014. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/cph/item/98504517/.

• Lincoln, Abraham, Stephen Arnold Douglas, and Edwin, Erle Sparks. The Lincoln-Douglas Debates. Chicago, Danville: F.A. Owen Publishing CO., 1918. eBook. https://archive.org/details/lincolndouglasde00link.

• Stephen A. Douglas, full-length portrait, facing front. 1860. Photograph. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Washington D.C.. Web. 18 Feb 2014. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2005696317/.

• Stephen A. Douglas. N.d. Photograph. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Washington D.C.. Web. 18 Feb 2014. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/pga/item/2003656480/.

This assessment was developed by the Emerging America Program of the Collaborative for

Educational Services with funding from the U.S. Department of Education Teaching American History

Program. It may be used as long as full credit is given.