One of the most tumultuous years in US history
ABRAHAM LINCOLN, DOUGLAS DEBATES 1858
SYNOPSIS
The Abraham Lincoln, Douglas Debates film tells the story of the lead up to the famous October 7, 1858 debate. Lincoln and Douglas each have their supporters and are passionately preparing for this great political event. We touch on the Kansas/Nebraska Act, Popular Sovereignty, the Dred Scott case, Lincoln’s House Divide speech, La compton, and the Missouri Compromise.
The characters talk about the first four debates and mention the last two upcoming debates. Even though there are so many intense and controversial topics to discuss, both Lincoln and Douglas focus their debate to the number one issue that is tearing the country apart, slavery.
One of the reasons the Galesburg debate remains hugely significant is that at Knox College Abraham Lincoln for the first time talked at length about the immorality of slavery. In today’s terms, the evils and immorality of slavery seem clear. But, in 1858, tragically, people were living in a world where slavery was a reality and an issue that deeply divided people. Even most people opposed to the evils of slavery did not talk in those terms. People like that were thought to be a radical extremist called Abolitionists. Lincoln significantly changed the national debate and the hearts and minds when he laid out his case for why slavery was immoral and needed to end.
We have gone to great lengths to research the historical accuracy of this film. We have many of the actual people, that were there at the debate represented, and have tried to incorporate their own words or actions in the dialog. We have taken some liberty in adding a few people that were very important to the overall story. Our hope is that people will want to learn their names, and the major issues leading up to this important debate.
Credits
Writer/ Director/ Executive Producer
Eric Daniel Newnham
Producer
Dinarte De Freitas
We would like to thank the Paul K. & Evalyn Elizabeth Cook Richter, Memorial Fund.
Photos Courtesy of
Knox College
Library of Congress
Pexels
CROWDFUNDING
The 5th Lincoln Douglas Debate was held at Knox College in Galesburg IL. This is a film about the lead up to the Galesburg Debate. This is a great Lincoln story and we want to share it with the world. Our goals have been to show Lincoln as a living and breathing person, not a black and white photo nor a statue. Lincoln was thrust into one of the tumultuous times in our nation’s history. We want to encourage people to preserve and to get interested in history. Please join us by donating today.
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