Popular Sovereignty and Slavery

Popular Sovereignty and the Slavery Debate
The Popular Sovereignty and Slavery debate began in 1846 following the Annexation of Texas and the Mexican-American War which had had highlighted the issue of US Territorial Expansion and the question of whether slavery should be permitted in new states. In less than 100 years treaties had made by the United States acquiring new land and extending US territory from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast, as indicated on the territorial expansion map.

Popular Sovereignty and the Slavery Doctrine
The Popular Sovereignty and Slavery doctrine was first proposed in 1847 by Vice President George Dallas as a political policy that would allow the American settlers of new federal territories to decide whether to enter the Union as free or slave states. The idea was taken up by Lewis Cass in his 1848 presidential campaign causing a split in the Democratic party, which led to many anti-slavery Democratic politicians to join the Free Soil Party.

Popular Sovereignty and the Slavery Expansion Issue: The Compromise of 1850
The Popular Sovereignty and Slavery doctrine was then incorporated in the Compromise of 1850 which had been drafted by Henry Clay and Democratic Senator Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois. The Compromise of 1850 was an attempt to defuse the 4 year confrontation between the free states of the North and the slave states of the South regarding the status of territories acquired during the Mexican-American War. The Compromise of 1850 allowed California to be admitted as a free state and the admission of New Mexico Territory and Utah Territory with slavery was left to popular sovereignty.

Popular Sovereignty and the Slavery Issue for kids: The 1854 Kansas-Nebraska Act
Popular Sovereignty was an important feature of the 1854 Kansas-Nebraska Act which was drafted by Stephen A. Douglas and created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska and opened new lands for settlement.  The Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed white male settlers in Kansas and Nebraska to decide, through popular sovereignty, whether they would allow slavery within each territory. The Kansas-Nebraska Act effectively repealed the Missouri Compromise of 1820 that retained the balance between slave and free states admitted to the Union. The Kansas-Nebraska Act and the doctrine of Popular Sovereignty and slavery divided the country and pointed the nation towards civil war.

Popular Sovereignty and the Slavery Issue for kids: Bleeding Kansas
The Popular Sovereignty and Slavery issue exploded with critics of the doctrine calling it "squatter sovereignty." Violence broke out between proslavery and anti-slavery factions and reached a state of low intensity civil war and this disastrous event became known  Bleeding Kansas.

Popular Sovereignty and Slavery Issue: The Republican Party is formed
The issue of Popular Sovereignty and Slavery led to a turmoil in US politics. The Free Soil Party and the newly formed National Union Party emerged as the new Republican Party in opposition to the Kansas-Nebraska Act. The goal of new Republican Party, that was based in the north, was to stop the expansion of slavery.

Popular Sovereignty and Slavery for kids
The info about the Popular Sovereignty and Slavery provides interesting facts and important information about this important event that occured during the presidency of the 14th President of the United States of America.

Popular Sovereignty and Slavery Debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas
The Popular Sovereignty and Slavery issue were the subject of the what would become known as the 1858 Lincoln and Douglas Debates. Lincoln and Douglas contested the Illinois Senate seat. Abraham Lincoln challenged Stephen Douglas to debate the Popular Sovereignty and Slavery issues with him before the people of Illinois.  Stephen Douglas accepted the challenge and a total of seven joint debates were held in the presence of enormous crowds. Abraham Lincoln forced Stephen Douglas to defend the doctrine of of "popular sovereignty." Stephen Douglas responded by declaring that the legislatures of the territories could make laws hostile to slavery. This idea was opposed to the Dred Scott decision. Stephen Douglas won the election and was returned to the Senate. But Abraham Lincoln was poplar with many people and the 1858 Lincoln and Douglas Debates had earned him a formidable, national reputation.

Popular Sovereignty and Slavery Debate: Lincoln is elected President
Within six years Republican nominee Abraham Lincoln won the U.S. presidential election in 1860 gaining many votes due to his Popular Sovereignty and Anti-Slavery Debate. Following his election several southern states seceded from the Union and the establishment of the Confederacy unleashed the Civil War of 1861 - 1865. The issue of Popular Sovereignty was one of the Causes of the Civil War.

Black History for kids: Important People and Events
For visitors interested in African American History refer to Black History - People and Events. A useful resource  for teachers, kids, schools and colleges undertaking projects for the Black History Month.

Popular Sovereignty and Slavery - President Franklin Pierce Video
The article on the Popular Sovereignty and Slavery provides an overview of one of the Important issues of his presidential term in office. The following Franklin Pierce video will give you additional important facts and dates about the political events experienced by the 14th American President whose presidency spanned from March 4, 1853 to March 4, 1857.

Popular Sovereignty and Slavery

● Interesting Facts about Popular Sovereignty and Slavery for kids and schools
● Definition of the Popular Sovereignty and Slavery in US history
● The Popular Sovereignty and Slavery, a Important event in US history
● Franklin Pierce Presidency from March 4, 1853 to March 4, 1857
● Fast, interesting facts about the Popular Sovereignty and Slavery
● Foreign & Domestic policies of President Franklin Pierce
● Franklin Pierce Presidency and Popular Sovereignty and Slavery for schools, homework, kids and children