Did Stephen Douglas take a strong stand against slavery's expansion in the Lincoln-Douglas debates.?

No, Stephen Douglas did not take a strong stand against the expansion of slavery during the Lincoln-Douglas debates. Instead, he advocated for popular sovereignty, allowing territories to decide for themselves whether to permit slavery. Douglas aimed to appeal to both pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions, avoiding a definitive stance against slavery's expansion. His position ultimately led to criticism from both sides, as it seemed to sidestep the moral implications of slavery.