History of the United States I / Unit 14 USH1 2002 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Douglas's Attack
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The idea
Douglas called Republicans abolitionists who promoted miscegenation, and called them Black Republicans, a threat to the Constitution and to the founders' work.
In practice
A racial charge used as the central campaign weapon in a northern state.
Where people slip
Illinois voters opposed the extension of slavery and were not thereby in favour of racial equality, and Douglas built his whole campaign on that gap.
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