Every single moment that takes place in history likely leaves an effect that lasts much longer than just the initial result. The Lincoln Douglas debates are by far one of the truest examples of what is happening. The seven debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas that occurred in 1858 were of extreme importance in Illinois and created effects that decided the presidential election of 1860. The Lincoln Douglas debates were a series of numerous debates that took place throughout the state of 'Illinois. In these debates, two men argued to express their beliefs and views on certain issues, primarily slavery, in an effort to get elected to the United States Senate. The two men who participated in these debates were Stephen A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. These debates not only primarily decided the outcome of the state's Senate elections, but had a great impact on and laid the groundwork for the presidential elections of 1860 (Foner and Garraty 2) Stephen A. Douglas was a senator with Democratic views who previously he had been elected to the United States Senate in 1854. Before that, he had been a state Supreme Court justice (Morel 2). Therefore, he was much better known than Abraham Lincoln as he had held a seat in the United States Senate representing Illinois for ten years. Aside from that, he was primarily known for his ideas of popular sovereignty and for being held responsible for the Kansas-Nebraska Acts (Illinois Civil War). On the other hand, Abraham Lincoln, who eventually became one of the most famous presidents, had little importance in the country or even in the state of Illinois before the Lincoln Douglas debates. Lincoln had been nominated to run for representative... half of document......ry-significance.html>.McMichael, KNP Web. September 20, 2013.Morel, Lucas E. "Lincoln, Race, And The Spirit of '76" Perspectives on Political Science 39.1 (2010): 3-11. Academic research completed. Network. October 2, 2013.. Np Web. November 12, 2013. .. Np Web. November 12, 2013... Np Web. November 1, 2013. .. Np Web. November 12, 2013. .Russel, Randy. NP Web. 12 November 2013. .Ushistory.org. NP Web. November 12 2013..