HIST 202 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Freeport, Illinois, Stephen Douglass, Freeport Doctrine
18 Apr 2016
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Abraham lincoln, the elecion of 1860, and the beginning of the civil war. Did not have widespread poliical support; 19th c republicans didn"t think he was the best choice. Lincoln did not go to the war to abolish slavery. Tried to prevent war; did everything he could. A quick summary of the poliical landscape. In scot v. sanford (1857), supreme court ruled slaves had no rights in court. Federal government had no right to exclude slavery in new territories. In infamous lincoln-douglass debates, (freeport, illinois) stephen douglass ariculated views on popular sovereignty & believed popular sovereignty could & should override dred scot decision. Did not sit well w/ fellow democrats. In opposiion to douglass, jeferson davis campaigned on plaform that made slaveholding a guaranteed federal right, by consituional amendment if necessary. Neither douglass nor davis could muster the 2/3 majority required to secure the nominaion. The party split between n & s democrats.
