Stephen A. Douglas

Definition

Stephen A. Douglas was an American politician from Illinois who designed the Kansas-Nebraska Act. He believed in popular sovereignty as a solution for deciding on issues like slavery.

Related terms

Dred Scott Decision: A controversial Supreme Court ruling that stated slaves were property rather than citizens with rights. Douglas disagreed with this decision.

Lincoln-Douglas Debates: A series of seven debates in 1858 between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas while they were campaigning for a seat in the U.S. Senate from Illinois.

Freeport Doctrine: This was an argument made by Stephen A. Douglas during one of his debates with Lincoln, stating that despite the Dred Scott decision, territories could still prevent slavery through local legislation.