The History Place
The History Place: Abraham Lincoln: "House Divided" Speech
This site from The History Place provides Abraham Lincoln's famous speach given at the close of the republican state convention - "A House Divided". It is the full text of the speech.
PBS
Pbs: Cet: Africans in America: Lincoln's "House Divided" Speech
Short history and text of Abraham Lincoln's "House Divided" speech given in 1858. Click on the link to see the text of the speech. Click on Teacher's Guide for teaching resources.
Northern Illinois University
Abraham Lincoln Historical Digitization Project: Teacher's Parlor
A collection of lesson plans centered around President Abraham Lincoln that helps students understand some important events in America's history. The purpose of the page is present some major themes in American history from mid...
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Political Divisions
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart details the growing political divisions in the United States in the decade before the Civil War. It includes information on the election of 1856, the Dred Scott Decision, the Lincoln...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Stephen A. Douglas
he A lengthy biography of Stephen Douglas. Discusses his involvement in politics, in particular, his involvement with the slavery issue, his runs for presidency, his famous debates, and much more.
University of Chicago
Special Collections Library: Stephen A. Douglas and the American Union
Provides information about the Great Debate between Stephen A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln.
Other
Uil: Speech and Debate (Texas Only)
Section of the University Interscholastic League's home page dedicated to Speech and Debate information. Included is a wealth of information about participating in speech and debate tournaments and contests. Topics include general...
OpenStax
Open Stax: The Dred Scott Decision and Sectional Strife
By reading this section from a chapter on "The Tumultuous 1850s," students will understand the importance of the Supreme Court's Dred Scott ruling and be able to discuss the principles of the Republican Party as expressed by Abraham...
Smithsonian Institution
National Portrait Gallery: The Mask of Lincoln: Stephen A. Douglas
A captioned portrait of Stephen Douglas encapsulates his political career and reputation in a few short paragraphs.
Other
Famous Illinoisians With Civil War Ties: Stephen Douglas
Provides biographical facts about Stephen Arnold Douglas in bulleted list format.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Stephen A. Douglas
Here is some brief information on the "Little Giant", also known as Stephen Douglas, and his senatorial career. The information is divided into three short pages.
US Department of State
Bureau of International Information Programs: History Outline: Sectionalism
Article reviews several conditions of American society that sowed the seeds of civil war, particularly slavery and sectional conflict.
Huntington Library
Huntington Library: A Nation Conceived in Liberty [Pdf]
In this instructional activity, 11th graders examine the events and political philosophy that laid the foundations of the American government, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. They also look at what role religion played in...
Library of Congress
Loc: Today in History: April 23: The Little Giant
Contains a short biography on U.S. congressman, senator, and presidential candidate Stephen A. Douglas.
Other
Knox College: Old Main
This resource provides information regarding the Old Main building and architectural landmark at Knox College which is the site that Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln debated in 1858.
Tom Richey
Tom richey.net: The Crisis of the Union (1850 1860) [Ppt]
Presents key ideas for examining the events and issues that led to the American Civil War.
Other
Dave's Guide to Speech Writing: An Overview of the National Forensics League
Sight contains an overview of NFL, including an explanation of categories, points, and degrees.
Social Studies Help Center
Social Studies Help Center: What Caused the Beginning of the Civil War
Discusses what caused the Civil War, including a section on the political parties of the mid 1800's.
Northern Illinois University
Teaching Future Historians: Antebellum Era Lesson Plans
Several lesson plans covering a range of topics from the 1830s through 1860. These plans will give your students experience using primary sources.
Curated OER
Map of Illinois Showing
This site provides historical information and pictures regarding the Fifth Lincoln Douglas debate in 1858.
Curated OER
Wikipedia: National Historic Landmarks in Illinois: Old Main, Knox College
Best-preserved site of one of the Lincoln-Douglas debates.