Stephen Douglas
Evan Katsounis History
11/10/14 Stephen Douglas Essay
Stephen Douglas
Stephen Arnold Douglas was born in Brandon, Vermont in 1813. He left New England at the age of 20, and moved to Illinois. He was an important factor in creating the Illinois sector of the Democratic Party. He became increasingly popular with southern farmers who had migrated north. He used his enthusiastic working ethic, and his gifted speaking skills to become elected to the House of Representatives in 1843. Because of his small stature, bulky figure, and booming voice, he was nicknamed the “Little Giant.” Douglas was an avid supporter of westward expansion, and advocated the assimilation of Oregon, Texas, California, and the Mexican War (1846-1848). He also supported the building of the transcontinental railway.
Douglas was then elected to the Senate in 1846, remained there for the rest of his life, and became deeply involved in the North vs. South debate on slavery. He was afraid the nation would be divided. Douglas felt that the population of a state should decide if it has slavery or not. This is called popular sovereignty. Stephen helped Henry Clay pass the Compromise of 1850. The Compromise admitted California as a Free State and gave Utah and New Mexico popular sovereignty. Douglas also had other thoughts on his mind.
“In 1854, Senator Stephen Douglas of Illinois saw an opportunity to run for the presidency, and he wanted the support of southern Democrats. The Democratic Party was particularly in favor of states’ rights and believed states should get to decide for themselves the legality of slavery.” (American History - Part 1-The Nation Torn Apart (1844 – 1865). Douglas created the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which essentially stated that Kansas and Nebraska would vote on whether they become Slave States or not. The Act was passed by Congress, effectively repealing the Missouri Compromise of 1820. The Missouri Compromise stated that the latitude of 36° 30’ N
11/10/14 Stephen Douglas Essay
Stephen Douglas
Stephen Arnold Douglas was born in Brandon, Vermont in 1813. He left New England at the age of 20, and moved to Illinois. He was an important factor in creating the Illinois sector of the Democratic Party. He became increasingly popular with southern farmers who had migrated north. He used his enthusiastic working ethic, and his gifted speaking skills to become elected to the House of Representatives in 1843. Because of his small stature, bulky figure, and booming voice, he was nicknamed the “Little Giant.” Douglas was an avid supporter of westward expansion, and advocated the assimilation of Oregon, Texas, California, and the Mexican War (1846-1848). He also supported the building of the transcontinental railway.
Douglas was then elected to the Senate in 1846, remained there for the rest of his life, and became deeply involved in the North vs. South debate on slavery. He was afraid the nation would be divided. Douglas felt that the population of a state should decide if it has slavery or not. This is called popular sovereignty. Stephen helped Henry Clay pass the Compromise of 1850. The Compromise admitted California as a Free State and gave Utah and New Mexico popular sovereignty. Douglas also had other thoughts on his mind.
“In 1854, Senator Stephen Douglas of Illinois saw an opportunity to run for the presidency, and he wanted the support of southern Democrats. The Democratic Party was particularly in favor of states’ rights and believed states should get to decide for themselves the legality of slavery.” (American History - Part 1-The Nation Torn Apart (1844 – 1865). Douglas created the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which essentially stated that Kansas and Nebraska would vote on whether they become Slave States or not. The Act was passed by Congress, effectively repealing the Missouri Compromise of 1820. The Missouri Compromise stated that the latitude of 36° 30’ N