ERQ STUDY DOCUMENT!!!!!!!!!!!

Be able to argue whether something was an important factor in the origin of the civil war or not

Causes of the Civil War (Economic, Social, Political)

Economic:

1. Slavery: Deep economic reliance on slave labor in the South.

2. Tariffs: Disputes over protective tariffs affecting North-South economic relations.

3. Northern Industrialism vs. Southern Agriculture: Economic disparities and competition for resources.

4. (Foreign) Trade: Economic interests in international trade contributing to conflicting views.

Social:

1. Slavery: Rooted in Southern society, shaping social hierarchies and cultural norms.

2. Sectionalism: Growing differences in culture and values between North and South.

3. Cultural and Moral Differences: Distinct views on work ethic, individualism, and government.

4. Abolitionist Movements: Rise of movements advocating for the immediate end of slavery.

Political:

1. States' Rights: Debate over states' rights and federal authority.

2. Political Parties: Formation of parties with regional bases, highlighting ideological differences.

3. Failed Compromises: Unsuccessful attempts to find common ground on issues like slavery extension.

4. Election of Abraham Lincoln: Lincoln's election triggering fears in the South, leading to secession.

Reconstruction Policies/Success or Failure of Reconstruction:

Presidential and Congressional Plans:

1. Lincoln's 10% Plan: Lenient approach, aiming for a speedy reunion.

2. Lincoln Governments: Formation of new state governments in Confederate states.

3. Johnson's Plan: Encouragement of Southern re-admittance, strict conditions.

4. Joint Committee on Reconstruction: Congressional hearings revealing Southern repression and violence.

Successes and Failures:

1. Successes: Re-admittance of states, ratification of the 13th Amendment.

2. Failures: Black Codes, refusal to ratify the 13th Amendment, and resistance to change.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Lincoln’s Plan:

Strengths:

1. Moderate Approach: Not excessively punitive.

2. Fast Reunion: Aimed at quickly reuniting the Union.

3. Attainable Conditions: 10% threshold for state reformation.

Weaknesses:

1. Radical Discontent: Radical Republicans found it too lenient.

2. Lack of Concrete Changes: No substantial changes in the South.

3. Unclear Stance on Slavery Rights: Ambiguity on the status and rights of former slaves.

Kansas-Nebraska Act:

1. Introduced by: Stephen Douglas.

2. Key Features: Popular sovereignty, erasure of the Missouri Compromise Line.

3. Impact: Led to Bleeding Kansas, rise of the Republican Party.

4. Result: Increased sectional tensions, violence in Kansas.

If the question asks ‘to what extent’, how would you answer? Would you say ‘to some extent…’?

Lead up to civil war

Missouri compromise

• Causes of the Civil War(economic, social, political):
  • Economic: Slavery, tariffs, northern industrialism vs southern agriculturists, (foreign) trade
  • Social: Slavery, sectionalism
  • Political: Federal vs state law, rise of the Republican party, Abraham Lincoln, tariffs, westward expansion (free or slave states)
• sectionalism/secession
  • Slave vs Free state
  • State vs Nation Rights
  • Slavery
  • Tariffs
• Slavery in civil war
  • Caused further sectionalism
  • Kept the South Alive used as labor
• Impact of the emancipation proclamation

Emancipation proclamation was heavily influenced by Fredrick Douglas. He told Lincoln to let black people fight in the war.

• Military strategies/campaigns

General McClellan was very obsequious and failed to end Robert E. Lee’s army. Robert was very aggressive and went offensive for every battle even at a disadvantage. Though McClellan was successful in the end, Lincoln fired him due to his lack of action.

• consequences of the war(economic, social, political)

End of slavery occurred.

• Reconstruction policies/success or failure of reconstruction
• Role of women in the civil war

There were many spies that helped give information to the Union.

• Role of election of 1860/role of lincoln
• Role of foreign relations in the war
• Role of african americans in the war
• Role of abolition in the war
• Westward expansion
• Lincoln douglas debate effect
• Slavery: cotton economy and slavery; conditions of enslavement; adaptation and

resistance; abolitionist debate—ideological, legal, religious and economic

arguments for and against slavery, and their impact.

• Origins of the Civil War: the Nullification Crisis; states’ rights; sectionalism;

slavery; political issues; economic differences between the North and South.

• Reasons for, and effects of, westward expansion and the sectional debates; the

crises of the 1850s; compromise of 1850; political developments, including the

Lincoln–Douglas debates and the presidential election of 1860.

• Union versus Confederate: strengths and weaknesses; economic resources; role

and significance of leaders during the Civil War; role of Lincoln; significant military battles/campaigns.

• Factors affecting the outcome of the Civil War; the role of foreign relations; the

Emancipation Proclamation (1863) and participation of African Americans in the

Civil War.

• Reconstruction: presidential and congressional plans; methods of southern

resistance; economic, social and political successes and failures.

Timeline:

Antebellum (remember to add who, and why it's important):

1820: Missouri Compromise by Henry Clay

1850: Compromise of 1850 by Henry Clay

1854: Kansas-Nebraska Act

1860: Election of 1860 - Lincoln elected

Civil War:

1861: Civil War Starts

1861: Some slaves got beat

1861: A white guy shot a slave because he tried to run Events to order;
Bull run, manassas, antietam, gettysburg, emancipation, surrender,

Reconstruction:

1863: Lincoln’s proclamation of amnesty

1864: Lincoln’s plan Wade-Davis Bill

1865: Civil war ends, Lincoln assassinated, Johnson president

1867 - Johnson was impeached, first reconstruction act passed (radical reconstruction)

1874: opposition gains control of Congress (Democrats gain control of legislative branch)

1877: compromise of 1877, reconstruction ends

Timeline (IMPORTANT)

• Even before (1820)
  • Missouri Compromise
• 1828-1833
  • Tariffs and Nulliification
• 1840s
  • Manifest destiny (including problems like Texas)
• 1850
  • Compromise of 1850
• 1854
  • Kansas-Nebraska act, Dred Scott, etc.
• 1863
  • Lincoln’s Proclamation of amnesty and reconstruction
• 1864
  • Wade Davis bill
• 1865
  • Lincoln assassinated, Johnson becomes president (Radicals vs Johnson)
• 1867
  • Johnson is peached, the first radical reconstruction act is passed.
• 1874
  • Election where grant continues radical reconstruction to an extent
  • Democrats won house (white Democratic control of the South)
• 1877
  • Compromise of 1877
• 1896
  • Plessy v Ferguson

FORMAT FOR ERQ

1. Intro
2. Main point
3. Evaluate Main point
4. Counterpoint
5. Evaluate counterpoint
6. Conclusion

ERQ group practice:

Evaluate the role of Sectionalism in the coming of the civil war.

Although sectionalism played a major role in the civil war many ohter factioras played a role in the civil war

1. it increased tentions between north and south (tariffs)
   1. The tariffs negatively impacted the southern economy
2. missouri compromise divided north and south
3. compromise of 1850
4. kansas nebraska act
   1. Angered the south
   2. Then bleeding kansas south which made more regional divide
5. Expansion caused a lot of sectionalism
6. The weaknesses:
   1. Secession was a big factor leading up to the civil war and was one of the big reason
   2. Abolition movement was also a big factor of the civil war
   3. Nullification crisis

To what extent did abolition contribute to the start of the us civil war

Although abolition was an important issue there are other issues we can talk about

There are a lot of different political parties on abolition and the expansion of slavery

There were a lot of people who would view the north as abolitionists like lincoln

But lincoln was more of a free soiler and did not want to abolish slavery

He did get a lot of criticism from frederick douglas but he was still viewed as an abolitionist from the south

One of the arguments against this is that the start of the civil war was less aoub t abolition and more about the extension of slavery and in lincoln's inaugural address he said he wanted peace and not to expand slavery

Abolition was more at the end of the civil war with the emancipation proclamation and all that

It's an irritant rather than an immediate cause

Lincoln douglas debates reveal that slavery had torn the nation apart. Discuss.

• Douglass had a detached view of slavery and championed popular sovereignty
• Lincoln said “A house divided against itself cannot stand”
  • Dred Scott decision enforced this
• Douglass wanted state governments to be able to choose against a federal government
• Lincoln didn't like this, as stated in the house divided speech
• Douglass did the Freeport Doctrine which talked about popular sovereignty
  • Hurt Douglass and made him lose support in the South.
  • This made the Democratic party split, allowing Lincoln to become president
    • This allowed secession to happen.
• Overall, the debates did reveal that slavery had torn the nation apart
• The effect of the Lincoln-Douglass effect on the Republican party?

Discuss the role of the election of 1860 in the start of the civil war.

• Southern states seceded after Lincoln was elected
  • They refused to recognize him
  • South Carolina secession was caused by Lincoln coming into office
• The election heightened sectionalism because the South was Democratic
• Lincoln couldn't send troops without it being an act of war.
• Impact of the split democratic party was Lincoln’s election and therefore secession.

Evaluate the success of 3 Union campaigns in the Union’s victory

• Battle of Gettysburg
  • Turning point in the war, repelled Lee’s army
• Battle of Vicksburg
  • Gave Union control of the Mississippi river
• Battle of Bull Run
  • Detrimental for their overall victorhy
  • Led to a loss of confidence for the troops
  • Allowed the Union to consider their weaknesses and come back stronger
• Errors:
  • Focused on battles instead of campaigns
  • Ex. peninsula campaign, sherman, etc.

To what extent did foreign relations impact the Civil War?

• Foreign relations had little impact on the Civil War.
• Trent Affair - Confederate ship was going to Britain but was held by the Union. Lincoln skillfully negotiated with Britain to prevent any tension.
• US placed tariffs and those furthered sectionalism (irrelevant due to pre-civil war)
• Antietam is seen as a turning point in the war.
  • Foreign relations didn't matter there
• Confederacy exported cotton to England (Cotton was king)
• COUNTERARGUMENT: Could foreign affairs have been a major issue in the war?
  • Yes
  • But they WERE NOT
    • This is because of Lincoln
      • Lincoln brought emancipation in, which helped keep Britain out of the war.
      • Martialing of resources
      • Military leadership
      • Lincoln blockaded the south

Discuss the impact of the he role of African Americans during the Civil War

• The North and South had different wars on slavery
  • One of the main points of the war was to end slavery
    • Emancipation Proclamation
  • Slaves were contraband and the policy allowed escaped slaves to find refuge and fight for the union
  • The 54th massachusetts regiment (African Americans) came into existance adn was renowned for it's bravery and it's assault on like Fort Wagner

COUNTER

• • Not many rights and had litle legal rep
  • Mainly had the impact from abolitionists
  • Impact of industry on the civil war (other thing to consider)

The Emancipation Proclamation was key to the Northern victory in the Civil War. Discuss

• All states under union had free slaves
• Changed the focus of the war to end slavery
  • Changed the focus of foreign policy to help Union (Extremely important)
• Allowed for foreign policy to support union
• Loss of enslaved labor ruined the south
• Allowed blacks to fight in the war
• South provided foreign countries to import.
• COUNTER:
  • Not just the Emancipation Proclamation
  • 1864 election also contributed
  • Other events
    • Grant in Virginia (The Butcher)
    • Richmond fire

Evaluate the plans of Reconstruction - Dorton has never seen it. Mention all the plans, then pick 2 and evaluate them (Dorton said to use LINCOLN and RADICAL, be brief about Wade Davis and Johnson Plan)

• Lincoln’s 10% plan
  • Only 10% of the people in the South had to take an oath of allegiance
  • PRO: During the war, encouraged the South to surrender
    • Encouraged quick reunification
  • CONS:
    • During the war, needed much military
    • Too lenient, radicals in Congress didn't like it
    • Strengthened the Radical party
  • People were trying to replace Linconl
• Wade Davis bill
  • Made 50% of the white males take the oath of allegiance
  • Really radical (white democrats were against)
• Johnson plan
  • General amnesty to all who took an oath
  • Made sure all states could ratify the 13th amendment
  • High ranking people needed to be granted individual pardons
  • The southern states made their own governments\
  • Pros
    • Made it easier for the south to rejoin
    • HAD to ratify 13th
  • Cons:
    • High ranking officials had pride and didnt have to petition for pardon
• Radical reconstruction plan
  • Punished the South
  • Enforced military districts
  • Made confederate states ratify the 14th and 15th
  • Caused economy to collapse
  • CON:
    • Rise of the kkklan
    • Failure to provide economic assistance

NULLIFICATION CAN BE USED FOR PROMPTS ABOUT NULLIFICATION AND CAUSES OF THE WAR (However, it wasn't a direct cause of the war, so wouldn't be the best)

When you try to link an event back to the prompt, don't say it relates back to the prompt because it shows this… You have to argue. If there are no argumentation, the highest you can get is a 9/15

ERQ Review:

Sectionalism:
Sectionalism was the main cause of the civil war. Discuss.

• Manifest Destiny and westward expansion (expanded territory).
• Tariffs and nullification (prevented trade with britain in the south which made the bridge between state and federal power shaky. Want more land
• Trade with Britain

- Lincoln Douglas Debates

-Deciding slave or free state during westward expansion.

Lincoln wants union

South and and north could not be half and half together(Like the Milk

Abolition was against slavery which was another cause.

House divided speech Lincoln

People in North no want slavery South wanted slavery

Power belongs to the people and did not want to be controlled by a powerful government

Counter argument: Westward Expansion ? Abolitionism ?

Westward Expansion:

To what extent did westward expansion lead to the civil war?

Sectionalism caused by westward expansion because of slavery disupute in new territories.

South wanted to expand with slavery

Tension between north and south over slavery was increased by westward expansion.

Fugitive slave act

North didn’t want to participate in it

Counter argument: elecction of 1860 was more influenceitial

Abolition: (Our Topic)

• Would a free soiler be against the extension of slavery(yes)
• How can you reconcile free soilers with this prompt
• South needed slavery but north was against it
  • Caused sectionalism
• Frederick Douglass, Rebellions, Gabriel Prosser
• Harpers ferry/ John Brown
• Attacks on fort sumter

Lincoln Douglas Debates:

Compare and contrast 2 perspectives of Lincoln and Douglas on the topic of slavery

• Lincoln and Douglas felt similarly but lincoln took more of anti slavery whereas Douglas wanted popular soveriengty and wanted to stay neutral.
• Lincoln’s main thought was that you can't have a house divided.
• He was pro union. He said if he could end the war without ending slavery, he would. HOwever, he was against the idea of slavery . Wasn’t exactly abolitionist at first, but over time he developed into one.
• Although at first slavery was not his main priority
• Wasn’t an abolitionist, he didn’t want to disturb slavery where it already was
• To gain southern support he didn't do anything about slavery where it already existed
• Douglas wrote freeport doctrine - didn’t care whetehr slavery was voted up or down - lost his votes
• Lincoln won the debates, but douglas won the senate
• Lecompton Constitution

Specific Information to Include:

Lecompton

Kansas Nebraska Act

Dred-Scott

Election of 1860

To what extent did the election of 1860 lead to the civil war?

• Turning point
  • (large impact after lincoln won)
  • Lincoln threatened slavocracy
    • This was there way of life and it threatened their democracy
  • Led to the secession of south carolina and other states(Fort Sumter)
  • The rebellion began after his first inaugural speech, adding to high tension among the US
  • Counter arguments:
    • not Lincoln’s election, it was Lincoln’s actions that led to CW
      • (supplying Fort Sumter, calling for 75,000 volunteers, etc)
    • Could have been sectionalism, abolitionism, Kansas- Nebraska act, abolition.

Specific Information to Include:

• Why people believed Lincoln wasn't a good fit
• Debates where he said a nation divided couldn’t stand
• Federalism

It wasn’t Lincoln's election…but his actions…??? - Dorton, 2024

Foreign Affairs

To what extent did foreign affairs affect the outcome of the Civil War?

• Favored the south during the civil war, but after emancipation proclamation, balance shifted.

South:

• Political pressure on Lincoln (trent affair)
• Received a lot of aid from Britain because it’s economy relied on trade w/ Britain.
• Britain gave South ships that could outrun the Northern blockade

North:

• Russia helped with morale up north
• After the emancipation proclamation, Britain was not able to help the south because they would make enemies with their citizens as they were against slavery
• Counter:
  • Slavery (emancipation)
  • Focus on war shifted to slavery - prevented foreign intervention

Information to Include:

• Declaration of neutrality
• Embargo
• Role of France

Emancipation

Evaluate the success of the emancipation proclamation on the outcome of the war.

Stance: changed outcome of the war, strengthed the union militarily and politically, but didn’t apply to border states Gave a cause to work towards for the north.

• Increased manpower
• Weakened confederacy by targeting their economy(Slavery)
• Reduced foreign intervention on Confederacy

Counter:

• No border states
• not a law just a proclamation
  • Did not immediately free slaves
• Democrats were against - rise of opposition
• Could have strengthed democratic party to the point that Lincoln looses next election

Mention

• Lots of factory workers in the north did not favor slavery due to the loss of jobs(limitation)(counter)1863 riots in new york to show unhappiness of workers

Recommend:

Compare and contrast throughout the paper

Thematic approach: similarities/differences what are some things they both had to do: readmittance to the Union, political organization, protection of rights/level of resistance to the plan

Introduction that answers the prompt:

EX. Although it was a stepping stone, many other events had a more profound impact

First paragraph about the main part

Certainly! Let's delve into each of these topics with a more in-depth analysis:

Reconstruction Policies/Success or Failure of Reconstruction:

Reconstruction was the period following the Civil War where the United States sought to rebuild and integrate the Southern states back into the Union. The policies can be divided into two main approaches: Presidential and Congressional.

*Presidential Reconstruction (Lincoln and Johnson):*

- Strengths:

- Moderate Approach: Lincoln's 10% Plan and Johnson's amnesty offered a relatively lenient path for Southern states to rejoin the Union.

- Quick Reunion: The intent was to swiftly reintegrate the Southern states to restore national unity.

- 10% Threshold: Encouraged states to reform with a relatively low threshold.

- Weaknesses:

- Radical Opposition: Radicals, such as the Wade-Davis Bill, criticized the leniency, fearing it would not bring about meaningful change in the South.

- Ineffectiveness: The lack of concrete changes and safeguards for newly freed slaves contributed to ongoing racial tensions.

*Congressional Reconstruction (Radical Reconstruction):*

- Strengths:

- Thorough Changes: Congressional plans aimed for more substantial changes, including the Reconstruction Acts dividing the South into military zones.

- Civil Rights Legislation: Efforts to pass Civil Rights Acts and the 14th Amendment aimed to protect the rights of freedmen.

- Weaknesses:

- Resistance and Violence: Southern resistance, the rise of the Ku Klux Klan, and Black Codes hindered the effectiveness of Congressional efforts.

- Lack of Long-Term Impact: The compromises and eventual withdrawal of federal troops resulted in the rollback of some gains.

Role of Women in the Civil War:

Women played vital roles during the Civil War, contributing both on the home front and directly to the war effort.

- Nurses and Caretakers: Many women served as nurses, tending to wounded soldiers on both sides.

- Spy Network: Numerous women acted as spies, gathering intelligence for their respective sides.

- Factory Workers: With men away at war, women took up jobs in factories, contributing to the war economy.

- Sanitary Commission: Organizations like the United States Sanitary Commission, led by women, provided medical and sanitary assistance.

Role of African Americans in the War:

African Americans played a crucial role in the Civil War, transforming the nature of the conflict.

- Union Army Service: Over 180,000 African Americans served in the Union Army, contributing significantly to its manpower.

- Emancipation Proclamation: Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation marked a turning point, framing the war as a fight for freedom.

- 54th Massachusetts Regiment: African American troops, like the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, showcased courage and valor on the battlefield.

- Post-War Challenges: Despite their contributions, African Americans faced ongoing challenges in the post-war period, including the struggle for civil rights.

Role of Abolition in the War:

- Moral Imperative: Abolitionist sentiment framed the war as a moral struggle against the institution of slavery.

- Emancipation Proclamation: Lincoln's decision to issue the Emancipation Proclamation shifted the war's focus towards ending slavery.

- Recruitment Tool: Abolitionist ideals served as a rallying cry for recruitment, particularly among Northern troops.

- Post-War Legacy: The abolitionist movement laid the groundwork for subsequent civil rights efforts in the Reconstruction era.

Impact of the Emancipation Proclamation:

- Strategic Shift: The Emancipation Proclamation redefined the war's purpose, making it not just about preserving the Union but also about ending slavery.

- International Implications: By framing the conflict as a fight for freedom, the Proclamation diminished the likelihood of foreign support for the Confederacy.

- African American Recruitment: Encouraged the enlistment of African American soldiers, significantly bolstering the Union army.

- Symbolic Importance: While it did not immediately free all slaves, the Proclamation had symbolic importance, setting the stage for the 13th Amendment.

Consequences of the War (Economic, Social, Political):

- Economic:

- Southern Devastation: The Southern economy was devastated due to widespread destruction during the war.

- Northern Industrial Growth: The war spurred industrial growth in the North, setting the stage for economic dominance.

- Social:

- Emancipation: The end of slavery brought about significant social changes, with newly freed African Americans seeking rights and opportunities.

- Women's Rights Movement: The war contributed to the momentum of the women's rights movement, as women demanded greater equality.

- Political:

- 13th Amendment: The abolition of slavery was enshrined in the Constitution through the 13th Amendment.

- Reconstruction Era: The political landscape was reshaped during the Reconstruction era, with efforts to integrate freedmen into civic life.

- Shift in Federal Power: The war marked a shift in power towards the federal

government, solidifying its authority over states.

Military Strategies/Campaigns:

- Anaconda Plan: Union strategy aimed at strangling the Confederacy economically by blockading ports and controlling the Mississippi River.

- Eastern Theater: Key battles like Gettysburg and Antietam had significant impacts on the course of the war.

- Western Theater: Control of the Mississippi River by the Union and the capture of key Southern strongholds were crucial.

Slavery in the Civil War:

- Economic Foundation: Slavery was a fundamental part of the Southern economy, providing cheap labor for agriculture.

- War as a Catalyst: The war became a catalyst for the end of slavery, with the Emancipation Proclamation and the eventual ratification of the 13th Amendment.

- Southern Resistance: Despite the Proclamation, resistance to the end of slavery persisted in the South through Black Codes and other discriminatory practices.

Sectionalism/Secession:

- Economic Differences: Economic disparities between the agrarian South and industrialized North fueled sectional tensions.

- Political Debates: Debates over states' rights, particularly regarding the expansion of slavery into new territories, heightened sectionalism.

- Secession: The secession of Southern states, starting with South Carolina, marked the formal rupture of the Union.

Causes of the Civil War (Economic, Social, Political):

- Economic Causes:

- Slavery's Economic Role: The Southern economy heavily relied on slave labor for its agrarian production.

- Tariffs and Trade Disputes: Economic tensions arose from disputes over protective tariffs that impacted North-South trade.

- Social Causes:

- Slavery as a Social Institution: Slavery was deeply ingrained in Southern society, shaping social hierarchies and cultural norms.

- Cultural and Moral Differences: Different cultural values and moral perspectives regarding work, individualism, and governance.

- Political Causes:

- States' Rights Debate: Disputes over states' rights versus federal authority contributed to political tensions.

- Failed Compromises: Attempts to find common ground, such as the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850, failed to address underlying issues.

- Election of Abraham Lincoln: Lincoln's election in 1860 triggered fears in the South about the future of slavery, prompting secession.

Role of Election of 1860/Role of Lincoln:

- Election of 1860: Lincoln's victory in the 1860 election, where he ran as a Republican opposed to the expansion of slavery, heightened Southern fears about the future of slavery.

- Lincoln's Role: Lincoln's leadership during the war was crucial. His measured approach in the early stages aimed at preserving the Union without excessively alienating the Southern states.

- Emancipation Proclamation: Lincoln's decision to issue the Emancipation Proclamation signaled a strategic shift, framing the conflict as a moral crusade against slavery.

Role of Foreign Relations in the War:

- Confederate Diplomacy: The Confederacy sought foreign recognition, particularly from European powers like Britain and France, to bolster their cause.

- Union Blockade: The Union's naval blockade limited Southern trade and was a key factor in preventing foreign support for the Confederacy.

- Emancipation Proclamation's Impact: By framing the war as a fight against slavery, the Emancipation Proclamation diminished the likelihood of European support for the Confederacy.

Westward Expansion:

- Homestead Act: Passed during the war, encouraging westward migration by offering land to settlers.

- Pacific Railroad Act: Facilitated the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad, connecting the East and West coasts.

- Impact on Native Americans: Westward expansion had severe consequences for Native American populations, leading to displacement and conflicts.

Lincoln-Douglas Debate Effect:

- Senate Campaign Debates: The debates between Lincoln and Douglas during their 1858 Senate campaign in Illinois focused on the issue of slavery.

- Public Attention: The debates brought significant public attention, highlighting the deep divides over the expansion of slavery.

- Lincoln's Rise: While Lincoln lost the Senate race, the debates raised his national profile and contributed to his subsequent nomination and election as President in 1860.

These are comprehensive summaries, and you may want to organize your responses in a clear and coherent manner for your essay. If you have any specific questions or need further clarification on any topic, feel free to ask!