The Republicans began as a third party rooted into anti-slavery that ran its first presidential candidate in 1856 with General John C. Fremont of California.

The election of James Buchanan and a resultant do nothing posture in the wake of national calamity resulting in America's most costly conflict in human terms, the Civil War, brought the fledgling Republican Party a golden opportunity to gain power in 1860.

A little known former  congressman and lawyer from Springfield, Illinois named Abraham Lincoln gained national stature by coming within an eyelash of defeating one of the nation's powerful and best known senators, Stephen A. Douglas.  

The historic series of debates between the two candidates held throughout Illinois established the platform on which Lincoln's presidential candidacy would hinge.