This lecture, created by the Abraham Lincoln Historical Digitization Project, examines several years of Abraham Lincoln's life, including his campaign for U.S. Senate against Stephen Douglas; his arguments against Douglas; the content of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates; and his failure to win the Senate position. This lecture continues from the lecture "Lincoln's Biography, Part Six: Kansas-Nebraska Act and the Rise of the Republican Party, 1854-1856."

To view this documentary, scroll to "Multimedia Slideshows," and select "Debating Douglas on the National Stage, 1857-1858."

Michael F. Holt of the University of Virginia examines the use and acceptance of women in politics in the antebellum Whig and Democratic parties, focusing on Whig encouragement of the idea of women as the "moral center" of families.

To view this clip, select "Women's Roles in Whig Politics" under "Political Development Video."

Gerald Prokopowicz of the Lincoln Museum looks at Abraham Lincoln's views on slavery, contrasting them with those expressed by Stephen Douglas in the Lincoln-Douglas debates.

To listen to this clip, select "Abraham Lincoln's Attitudes Toward Race and Slavery" under "Abraham Lincoln's Biography Video."

Eric Foner of Columbia University looks at perceptions of the Lincoln-Douglas debates today, in which their significance derives from Lincoln's participation, and contemporary perceptions, in which the debates received attention because Douglas took part.

To listen to this clip, select "The Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858" under "Abraham Lincoln's Biography Video."

Professors Sidney Milkis and Marc Landy look at the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt and the presidential campaigns of William Jennings Bryan. Milkis and Landy use the beliefs and platforms of the two figures to compare the political ideologies of populists and progressives.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Wednesday, July 14th, 9:00 am-10:30 am session; and select the corresponding RealAudio link to the left.

Professors Sidney Milkis and Marc Landy trace the rise of Abraham Lincoln to his presidential nomination and the simultaneous rise of the Republican party.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Tuesday, July 13th, 10:50 am-12:20 pm session; and select the corresponding RealAudio link to the left.

Professors Sidney Milkis and Marc Landy trace the 1800 presidential election of Thomas Jefferson. They focus particularly on the development of the party system at the time, and the fierce party politics between the Jeffersonian Republicans and the Federalists.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Monday, July 12th, 4:30 pm-6:00 pm session; and select the corresponding RealAudio link to the left.

Professor Mackubin T. Owens looks at the issue of the Southern states' secession prior to the Civil War. He considers whether Lincoln was justified in declaring war on the seceding states and what the arguments were both in favor of and against secession.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Wednesday, June 23rd, 10:45 am-12:15 pm session; and select the corresponding RealAudio link to the left.

Older versions of this lecture, from newer to older, can be found here and here.

Professor Lucas E. Morel looks at the presidential campaign and election of 1860, in which Abraham Lincoln was elected President. The lecture also includes some examination of the 1858 Senate campaign debates between Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Wednesay, June 23rd, 9:00 am-10:30 am session; and select the RealAudio image or link in the gray bar to the left of the main body of text.

Older versions of this lecture, from newer to older, can be found here and here.

Professor Lucas E. Morel details the debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas in the 1858 campaign for an Illinois seat in the United States Senate. Morel looks at the discussion of slavery in these debates.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Tuesday, June 22nd, 9:00 am-10:30 am session; and select the corresponding RealAudio link to the left.

Older versions of this lecture, from newer to older, can be found here and here.