How might the fact that the debate took place in Alton have affected the speakers and the audience?

The correct answer to this open question is the following.

How might the fact that the debate took place in Alton have affected the speakers and the audience?

Not much really. Both candidates to the state Senate had previously debated, and people already were interested in what Stephen Douglass(Democratic Candidate) and Abraham Lincoln(Republican candidate) had to say.

According to newspaper reports, the debate in Alton, Illinois was the seventh debate and was held on October 15, 1858. It was a cloudy day in Alton, and approximately 5,000 people attended the debate

When Abraham Lincoln was competing for the Senate of the state of Illinois in 1858, he had a tough adversary, Democrat Stephen Douglass. These two candidates performed seven debates that are considered by scholars as one of the most interesting and deep for the type of arguments they debated. The most important issues of the debates were the issue of slavery in the country and the states' rights.

b.   jim crow laws were enacted in northern states.

this is a good question! i'll do some research and come back when i have the answer!