Senator Stephen A. Douglas

Definition

Senator Stephen A. Douglas was a prominent American politician in the mid-19th century, known for his role in shaping the debates over slavery and sectionalism in the United States. He championed the concept of popular sovereignty, allowing territories to decide for themselves whether to allow slavery, which ultimately contributed to tensions leading to the Civil War.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Stephen A. Douglas was a key architect of the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which repealed the Missouri Compromise and ignited violent conflict in Kansas known as 'Bleeding Kansas.'
2. Douglas's push for popular sovereignty was meant to ease tensions between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions, but it often exacerbated those conflicts instead.
3. He was known as 'The Little Giant' due to his short stature but large political influence, especially in matters relating to the expansion of slavery.
4. Douglas ran for president in 1860 as a Northern Democrat but lost to Abraham Lincoln, who won largely due to divisions within the Democratic Party.
5. His legacy is controversial; while he aimed for compromise and unity, his policies contributed significantly to the sectional strife that led to the Civil War.

Review Questions

• How did Stephen A. Douglas's idea of popular sovereignty influence the political landscape leading up to the Civil War?
  • Stephen A. Douglas's idea of popular sovereignty aimed to resolve the contentious issue of slavery by allowing territories to decide for themselves whether to permit it. This concept influenced the political landscape by creating deep divisions among Democrats and Republicans and contributing to violent conflicts such as 'Bleeding Kansas.' Instead of settling disputes peacefully, popular sovereignty often intensified sectional tensions, pushing the nation closer to war.
• What were the main arguments presented by Douglas during the Lincoln-Douglas debates, and how did these reflect his views on slavery and governance?
  • During the Lincoln-Douglas debates, Douglas argued for popular sovereignty as a solution for determining slavery in new territories, claiming that it was a democratic principle. He positioned himself against Lincoln's view that slavery was morally wrong and should not expand into new territories. These debates showcased Douglas's belief in state rights and local governance, emphasizing his commitment to compromise despite growing national tensions over slavery.
• Evaluate how Stephen A. Douglas's support for the Kansas-Nebraska Act and his concept of popular sovereignty contributed to the political divisions that ultimately led to the Civil War.
  • Stephen A. Douglas's support for the Kansas-Nebraska Act and popular sovereignty played a critical role in deepening political divisions in America. By allowing settlers in those territories to choose on the issue of slavery, he undermined previous compromises like the Missouri Compromise and ignited violent confrontations in Kansas. This led to increased polarization between North and South, as pro-slavery and anti-slavery advocates clashed violently. Douglas's attempts at compromise ultimately failed, setting the stage for a national crisis that would erupt into the Civil War.

Related terms

Popular Sovereignty:

The political doctrine that the people living in a territory should decide whether to allow slavery or not, which was a key principle advocated by Douglas.

Kansas-Nebraska Act:

The 1854 legislation that created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska, allowing settlers in those territories to determine if they would allow slavery, a measure strongly supported by Douglas.

Lincoln-Douglas Debates:

A series of seven debates in 1858 between Stephen A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln during their campaign for the U.S. Senate, focusing on issues of slavery and state rights.