Stephen Douglas proposed abandoning the Missouri Compromise in order to facilitate the creation of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which aimed to allow settlers in those territories to decide the issue of slavery through popular sovereignty. He believed that this approach would promote westward expansion and economic development. Douglas also sought to gain Southern support for his plans and to unify the Democratic Party, which was becoming increasingly divided over the issue of slavery. Ultimately, his proposal was controversial and led to significant conflict, including violent confrontations known as "Bleeding Kansas."
Stephen Douglas
because Stephen Douglas was a supporter of popular sovereighty
Senator Stephen A. Douglas put forth the argument that if the Missouri Compromise of 1850 really was a compromise, it had to put forward a consistent principle. If it did not then it was not a compromise, but instead a modus vivendi arrangement. The main problem of this characterization is that Douglas was asking a rhetorical question. Douglas was the one to know inasmuch as he helped put it together.
Henry clay put it together
Douglas wanted to abandon the Missouri Compromise because he wanted to put in place his own Kansas- Nebraska Act. This act would expand railroads and allow territories to choose for themselves if they wanted to be free or slave states.
Stephen Douglas was eager to develop west of his home from Illionois. As a result, he suggested to form two new territories : Kansas and Nebraska. However, many Southerners rejected the idea because under the Missouri Compromise, the territories would be admitted as free states. Douglas then proposed that the upcoming territories would be decided by popular sovereignty, earning the South's favor and thus, removing the Missouri Compromise.
Senator Douglas thought that a local vote - or 'popular sovereignty' - would be a better way of deciding for or against slavery in the new States.
stephen douglas
The role that Stephen Douglas played in the Compromise of 1850 is he drafted the component bills. He did this with Henry Clay.
Stephen Douglas
Stephen A. Douglas suggested dropping the Missouri compromise's ban on slavery. Instead, popular sovereignty (the vote of the residents) would decide the issue.
The Kansas Nebraska Act was designed and supported by Democratic Senator Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois. His intention was to ease tensions over human bondage.