Popular Sovereignty
Abraham Lincoln, who was relatively new to the national political scene, gained widespread national fame from his series of debates with Stephen Douglas, his opponent in the Illinois Senatorial race. Douglas, a proponent of States Rights, and pro-slavery Democrat, battled Lincoln, an anti-slavery Whig.
Stephen Douglas believed in the principle of popular sovereignty, which posited that the residents of a territory should have the right to decide for themselves whether to allow slavery. This approach aimed to resolve the contentious issue of slavery's expansion into new states and territories. Douglas's stance was a significant factor in the debates surrounding the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which ultimately led to increased tensions between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions in the United States. His views reflected a broader commitment to democracy and local governance, though they often deepened national divisions over slavery.
Stephen Douglas was commonly known as "The Little Giant." This nickname referred to his short stature combined with his significant political influence and his role in shaping important issues such as the expansion of slavery in the United States during the mid-19th century. Douglas was a prominent senator and played a key role in the debates with Abraham Lincoln during the 1858 Illinois Senate race.
Stephen A. Douglas was a prominent American politician and lawyer in the mid-19th century, best known for his role as a U.S. Senator from Illinois and for his debates with Abraham Lincoln during the 1858 Senate campaign. He was a key proponent of the doctrine of popular sovereignty, which allowed territories to decide for themselves whether to permit slavery. Douglas played a significant role in the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which exacerbated sectional tensions leading up to the Civil War. His political career ended after the election of Lincoln, and he died shortly after the war began in 1861.
When Covey tries to bind Douglas's legs with a rope, Douglas resists fiercely, determined not to submit to Covey's brutality. This moment symbolizes Douglas's struggle for freedom and dignity amidst the harsh conditions of slavery. His refusal to be restrained highlights his inner strength and resilience, ultimately leading to a pivotal confrontation that marks a turning point in his journey toward liberation.
popular sovereignty
Stephen Douglas proposed the idea of popular sovereignty, allowing territories to vote on whether to allow slavery. He believed this would settle the issue by letting the people in each territory decide for themselves.
popular sovereignty
Douglas proposed that the people within each new territory should decide the slavery question for themselves without regard to the rest of the country, known as Popular Sovereignty.
popular sovereignty
Stephen Douglas supported popular sovereignity, also called squatter sovereignity, which stated that each territory had the right to determine if they would accept slavery or not.
He called it Popular Sovereignty, and it sounded quite reasonable. But the first time it was tried (in Kansas), it encouraged armed raiders to invade the state and intimidate voters. By the way, Stephen Douglas is not double 's'.
Stephan A. Douglas proposed the Kansas Nebraska Act in 1854.
pro-slavery and anti-slavery groups
Stephen Douglas debated with Lincoln against slavery
It was the issue of slavery that Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A Douglas disagreed about during their political debates. Stephen A Douglas supported slavery while Abraham Lincoln opposed it.
Stephen A Douglas