House Divided Speech

A major aspect of the speech is Lincoln’s condemnation of Senator Douglas’s apathy. To what extent does Lincoln’s attitude toward slavery change once he becomes president? What are the reasons for any change?

Politicians have historically mentioned faith or God in political speeches. Although he references several passages from scripture, Lincoln does not explicitly mention God anywhere in the speech. Why do you think this is?

Lincoln accuses Senator Douglas of taking no moral stance on slavery, i.e., that Douglas “cares not.” Should politicians include their own opinions or values in their political positions, or should they be more concerned with representing the positions or interests of their constituents? Should residents of one locality care about the laws made somewhere else?

Do you believe Lincoln’s argument that there has been a conspiracy between leading Democrats (Douglas, Pierce, Buchanan, Taney)? Why or why not?

Can the problems to which Lincoln draws attention be attributed to a failure of government? What institutional or structural problems might be behind the crisis Lincoln describes? Does this undermine the conspiracy theory?

Are there any issues in the public eye today that resemble slavery in the 19th century? In what ways and to what extent?

A house is a central metaphor of Lincoln’s speech. Why do you think he chose to use it? In what ways is a house comparable to the United States or to any country? How does it help an audience think about the problem posed by Lincoln’s speech?

If not for the Dred Scott decision, slavery would have been subject to popular approval in federal territories. Do you agree with Lincoln that this would be an impossible arrangement, or could the country have existed half free and half enslaved?