Stephen A. Douglas

Stephen A. Douglas was a 19th-century American politician known for advocating for popular sovereignty—the idea that residents of a territory should decide whether to allow slavery. He served as a U.S. Senator from Illinois and was a leading figure in debates over slavery's expansion, notably opposing Abraham Lincoln. Douglas played a key role in passing the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which heightened tensions over slavery. His work helped shape the political landscape leading up to the Civil War, emphasizing democratic participation but also contributing to deepening national divisions.