The Best Political Debates in US History

American history helps people comprehend the origins of American culture and how it has changed over time. 

There are plenty of historians out there who believe it started at different times: When explorer Christopher Columbus discovered the Bahamas in 1492.

The 1607 Jamestown settlement. The Pilgrims traveling on the Mayflower in 1620.

The American colonies were the British colonies that were established during the 17th and early 18th centuries in what is now a part of the eastern United States.

The colonies grew both geographically along the Atlantic coast and westward and numerically to 13 from the time of their founding to the American Revolution.

On September 9, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted a new name for what had been called the “United Colonies.”

The moniker United States of America has remained since then as a symbol of freedom and independence. While there were political debates in the 19th Century, the presidential general election and primary debates are a 20th-century phenomenon.

In this article, we will learn more about some of the most important debates from the early years of the United States to later when this country became a global player.

American history, debates, Native Americans, slavery, Constitutional Convention, Gilded Age, imperialism, World War II, atomic weapons, presidential elections.

11. How to Treat the Native Americans During the Colonial Era

The period from Columbus until the founding of Jamestown in 1607 was marked by a debate over how to treat the Native Americans encountered by European explorers and settlers.

On one side, there were those like the Spanish friar Bartolome de Las Casas, who argued that the Native Americans were human beings with souls and therefore deserved to be treated with dignity and respect.

Las Casas became an advocate for Native American rights and was a vocal critic of the Spanish mistreatment of indigenous peoples.

On the other side of the debate were those like the Spanish philosopher Juan de Sepulveda, who argued that the Native Americans were inferior beings who were incapable of governing themselves and therefore needed to be subjugated by European powers.

This debate over how to treat the Native Americans continued throughout the colonial period and beyond. While some European powers, like the Spanish, eventually adopted policies of conversion and assimilation, others, like the English, saw the Native Americans as obstacles to being removed from the land.

The legacy of this debate can still be felt today, as Native American communities continue to fight for their rights and for recognition of their sovereignty.

10. How to Treat Enslaved Africans During the Colonial Era

The debate over how to treat Africans in America revolved around two main issues: the morality of slavery and the economic benefits of the slave trade. Some colonists argued that enslaving Africans was morally wrong and went against Christian principles.

Other colonists argued that slavery was necessary for the economic growth of the colonies.

They argued that Africans were inferior to Europeans and that enslaving them was justified.

They also believed that slavery was a natural part of the economic system and that the profits from the slave trade were essential for the development of the colonies.

The debate continued throughout the colonial period and into the early years of the United States.

Ultimately, it would be the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation that ended the debate over the morality of slavery and established the principle that all people, regardless of race, are created equal and should be treated as such.

9. How the Constitution Should Read

During the creation of the US Constitution, there were intense discussions about its content.

Key issues included:

• The representation of slave states in Congress, with the South wanting slaves counted for more representation, opposed by the North.
• The number of representatives large states could have, debated between being based on population or being equal for all states.
• The federal government’s role in controlling slavery, with opinions divided on whether it should be a federal or state matter.
• The regulation of the slave trade, where delegates debated if it should be a federal responsibility or left to the states.

8. The Meaning of the Word Citizen During the Gilded Age

During the Gilded Age, there were dramatic social changes taking place in American society, including the rise of large corporations, the expansion of industry and urbanization, and the influx of immigrants.

One of the key issues in the debate was the question of who should have the right to vote.

At the beginning of the Gilded Age, only white men who owned property were allowed to vote, but there was a growing movement to expand voting rights to include other groups, such as African Americans and women.

As daunting as the political challenges were at the time, the Gilded Age came to an end with the reforms of the Progressive era and the New Deal.

Those years saw countless changes in the rules of economic life as well as new taxes and social spending that gave the great majority of Americans a better life.

7. The debate over American imperialism

Proponents of imperialism argued that the United States had a duty to spread its culture and institutions around the globe, citing economic opportunities, racial theories, and competition with European empires.

On the other hand, anti-imperialists argued that the United States should not extend its territory overseas, citing principles of self-determination and invoking the U.S. foreign policy tradition of isolationism.

Imperialists won.

The late 19th century and early 20th century saw new U.S. territorial ambitions and acquisitions in the Western Hemisphere and the Pacific, which further intensified the public debates over America’s role in the world.

The acquisition of Hawaii in 1898, followed by the annexation of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines after the Spanish-American War, marked a turning point in American foreign policy and sparked debates over the morality and practicality of American expansionism.

The debate over American imperialism continued to shape U.S. foreign policy throughout the 20th century, with the United States becoming a major player in global politics and engaging in conflicts around the world.

6. Racial Segregation Policies During World War II

The debate over whether America should end its racial segregation policies during World War II was heated and multifaceted.

On one hand, civil rights activists and many African American soldiers argued that fighting against the racist ideologies of Nazi Germany while practicing segregation at home was hypocritical and morally wrong.

Civil Rights activists Fannie Lou Hamer said “The flag is drenched in our blood”. She was severely beaten by police in Mississippi for trying to register to vote. Her organs were damaged. She continued to organize. “They know what they done to us.”pic.twitter.com/TsUYiJs29t

— Vonnie932 (@Vonnie932) March 14, 2024

They pushed for an end to segregation in the military and in other areas of American life, pointing to the injustice and inequality of separate and unequal treatment based on race.

On the other hand, many white Americans, including military leaders and government officials, argued that ending segregation during the war would be disruptive and could undermine the war effort.

They claimed that the military needed to maintain order and discipline, and that integrating soldiers of different races would be too difficult and could lead to lower morale and combat effectiveness.

They also argued that social change should be pursued gradually, rather than through sudden and potentially disruptive action.

Despite these arguments, pressure continued to mount for an end to segregation during the war.

In 1948, President Harry Truman signed Executive Order 9981, which declared the treatment of equality:

It was a great step forward in the fight for civil rights in the United States, although it would be many years before segregation was fully dismantled in all areas of American life.

After World War II, this debate continued for several more decades, with protests, legal battles, and social upheaval.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 marked significant victories for the civil rights movement, but it would take many more years of struggle and activism before racial equality was fully realized in the United States.

5. The Morality of Atomic Weapons

After the end of World War II, the use of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki sparked heated debates about the morality of using such weapons.

Supporters of the bombings argued that they were necessary to bring a swift end to the war and save American lives, especially in the Cold War, while opponents argued that they were unnecessary and constituted an immoral act of violence against civilians.

Amongst the “books that should have left decades ago” visible in these bins are “Hiroshima” by Pulitzer Prize winner John Hersey, a 1946 journalistic account of the lives of 6 survivors of the atomic bomb, which started some of the 1st debates about the morality of atomic weapons pic.twitter.com/0iNdyDnjbw

— John Dee (@iohndee) September 20, 2019

This debate remains relevant today, as the threat of nuclear war and the possibility of nuclear proliferation continue to be major international concerns.

On the other side, The race for the White House always was interesting.

“Of the people, by the people, for the people” in theory. Practice always gets a democracy in doubt position.

For the top 4, we saved some of the most interesting pre-election debates.

4. John F. Kennedy vs. Richard Nixon (1960)

The first debate between Kennedy and Nixon may be the most important presidential debate of all time.

On the morning of September 26, 1960, John F. Kennedy was a relatively unknown senator from Massachusetts. He was young and Catholic — neither of which helped his image — and facing off against an incumbent. But by the end of the evening, he was a star.

In the last 60 years, the best-known narrative about the debate is that Nixon ultimately lost the election because he looked old and tired during the debate, while Kennedy, who wore makeup, appeared to be young and vibrant.

JFK Mogged His Way to Presidency

September 26, 1960-
The Day Politics Realized: Looks Matter
The First Televised Presidential Debate

John F. Kennedy vs. Richard Nixon
70 Million Total Viewers
The Beginning of a New Era

Nixon wore a light grey suit, fading into the backdrop of… pic.twitter.com/5tJSePp1Ah

— Thomas (@PickingTheLocks) January 16, 2024

As the story goes, people who watched the debate on television believed that Kennedy had won the debate, but those who listened to their speeches on the radio believed that Nixon had performed better.

This “battle” creates the idea that debates are not simply about the substance, but also the presentation.

3. Jimmy Carter vs. Ronald Reagan (1980)

Ronald Reagan: debate master. The former actor and California governor usually excelled on the debate platform. In 1980, he swung around a contentious New Hampshire primary debate by reminding debate organizers that he had “paid for that microphone.”

Reagan later did well in debates against Jimmy Carter.

Jimmy Carter vs Ronald Reagan pic.twitter.com/DNIFC41cYz

— ♔Maliheh♔ (@Maliheh_) August 22, 2015

While Carter peppered his rhetoric with facts and policy, Reagan countered with one-line catchphrases, including “Are you better off than you were four years ago?” and “There you go again.”

Reagan won, in part, because he understood a fundamental of the debates. While Carter came off as “humorless,” Reagan charmed the audience.

2. George H.W. Bush vs. Bill Clinton vs. Ross Perot (1992)

Bill Clinton is believed to have won the 1992 debates — and the election — in part because he came off as more likable than his opponent throughout three debates.

In one famous moment during the second debate, Bush was caught on camera looking at his watch.

1. Historical debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump

The election debates between Joe Biden and Donald Trump were notable events, marked by a clash of styles and ideologies.

Biden, with his measured tone, aimed to present a vision of unity and recovery, contrasting with Trump’s more aggressive approach, highlighting economic achievements and national strength.

Throughout their encounters, Biden frequently criticized Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, arguing for a more coordinated federal response.

Trump, on the other hand, attacked Biden’s record and proposals, labeling them as too extreme and costly.

Issue	Joe Biden	Donald Trump
COVID-19 Response	“Anyone who is responsible for that many deaths should not remain as President of the United States of America.”	“We’ve done a great job.”
Economy	Proposed raising taxes on the wealthy to support economic recovery; criticized the economic struggles of middle-class Americans.	“If he gets in, you will have a depression the likes of which you’ve never seen.” Touted pre-pandemic economic strength.
Climate Change	Plan for renewable energy transition and net-zero emissions by 2050. “Healthcare is not a privilege, it’s a right.”	Expressed skepticism about climate science and championed the oil industry. “I think to an extent, yes, but I also think we have to have management.”
Healthcare	Plans to build on the Affordable Care Act with a public option.	Vowed to repeal the ACA, claiming Biden’s plan would lead to socialism and end private healthcare.
Racial Justice	Acknowledged systemic racism and the need for police reform. “The fact of the matter is, there is institutional racism in America.”	Emphasized law and order, denouncing the protests. “I am the least racist person in this room.”