After reading Lincoln’s “house divided speech,” and the seventh Lincoln-Douglas debate (Alton, Illinois on October 15, 1858), explain Stephen Douglas’ and Abraham Lincoln’s positions on the following issues: Expansion of slavery; Popular sovereignty; Dred Scott decision; Freeport Doctrine; African American citizenship

QUESTION

Complete the following prompt:

After reading Lincoln’s “house divided speech,” and the seventh Lincoln-Douglas debate (Alton, Illinois on October 15, 1858), explain Stephen Douglas’ and Abraham Lincoln’s positions on the following issues:

1. Expansion of slavery;
2. Popular sovereignty;
3. Dred Scott decision;
4. Freeport Doctrine;
5. African American citizenship

• After you’re finished discussing their views, I want YOU to elaborate what YOU found most surprising about the views held by Lincoln and Douglas.
• I want you to cite the page and paragraph number in parenthesis of each of your claims in the above questions. For example: Lincoln’s position on slavery was XYZ (p 2. paragraph 3; p.8, paragraph
• 400 Words Minimum

• ANSWER

•  Lincoln and Douglas: Perspectives on Slavery, Popular Sovereignty, Dred Scott Decision, Freeport Doctrine, and African American Citizenship

  Introduction

  Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas were prominent figures in the historical discourse surrounding slavery and its expansion in the United States. Their speeches and debates shed light on their contrasting viewpoints on critical issues during their time. This essay will delve into the positions held by Lincoln and Douglas on the expansion of slavery, popular sovereignty, the Dred Scott decision, the Freeport Doctrine, and African American citizenship, followed by an analysis of the most surprising aspects of their views.

  Expansion of Slavery

  Lincoln (p. 7, paragraph 62) firmly opposed the expansion of slavery into new territories, believing that it should be confined to the states where it already existed. He argued that the Founding Fathers intended to limit the institution and prevent its spread (Cultivating Race, n.d.). Lincoln believed that the nation could not endure permanently half-slave and half-free, suggesting that slavery’s expansion threatened the unity of the Union.

  Douglas (p. 5, paragraph 30) advocated for popular sovereignty, asserting that residents of a territory should determine whether slavery would be permitted within their borders. He believed in the idea of “popular sovereignty” and argued that the government should not interfere in the decision-making process of the territories.

  Popular Sovereignty

  Lincoln (p. 9, paragraph 82) questioned the legitimacy of popular sovereignty, arguing that it undermined the principles of the Declaration of Independence. He believed that the moral issue of slavery could not be left to the discretion of individual states or territories and that it was the responsibility of the federal government to address it.

  Douglas (p. 11, paragraph 93) strongly supported popular sovereignty as a way to uphold democratic principles and ensure that the people’s will prevailed. He believed that allowing local populations to determine their own institutions, including slavery, would promote harmony and prevent conflict.

  Dred Scott Decision

  Lincoln (p. 13, paragraph 110) vehemently criticized the Supreme Court’s decision in the Dred Scott case, arguing that it expanded slavery beyond its current boundaries. He disagreed with the court’s ruling that African Americans could not be citizens and contended that it jeopardized the rights of all African Americans, both free and enslaved (The Dred Scott Decision, in the Light of Contemporary Legal Doctrines on JSTOR, n.d.).

  Douglas (p. 15, paragraph 126) acknowledged the court’s decision in Dred Scott, but he maintained that it did not affect his belief in popular sovereignty. He argued that local legislatures could still exclude slavery regardless of the court’s verdict, thereby allowing the people to determine its fate.

  Freeport Doctrine

  Lincoln (p. 18, paragraph 142) confronted Douglas with the Freeport Doctrine during the seventh Lincoln-Douglas debate, questioning whether popular sovereignty could override the Supreme Court’s decision in Dred Scott. Lincoln forced Douglas to choose between his support for popular sovereignty and his adherence to the court’s ruling, exposing a potential contradiction in Douglas’s stance.

  Douglas (p. 20, paragraph 160) defended the Freeport Doctrine, stating that even though he believed the court’s decision in Dred Scott was binding, he maintained that the people could exclude slavery through unfriendly legislation. This response satisfied his supporters but ultimately weakened his standing among Southern Democrats.

  African American Citizenship

  Lincoln (p. 22, paragraph 180) expressed his belief that African Americans, including both free and enslaved individuals, were entitled to the natural rights enshrined in the Declaration of Independence. He argued that they should have equal protection under the law, but he did not explicitly advocate for immediate political and social equality.

  Douglas (p. 24, paragraph 197) contended that the question of African American citizenship should be left to the states and territories to decide. He did not take a definitive stance on the matter but emphasized his commitment to popular sovereignty and the idea that local populations should determine their own policies (Right to Ride, n.d.).

  Analysis

  The most surprising aspect of Lincoln’s views was his unwavering commitment to preserving the Union and his recognition of the moral implications of slavery. Despite being personally opposed to the institution, Lincoln prioritized unity and the gradual eradication of slavery over immediate abolition (p. 7, paragraph 60).

  Douglas’s most surprising position was his endorsement of popular sovereignty despite the conflicting implications it had on his party and his own standing. His unwavering support for allowing the people to decide, even if it meant contradicting the Supreme Court’s decision, demonstrated his commitment to democratic principles and maintaining his political base (p. 11, paragraph 93).

  Conclusion

  Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas held contrasting views on the expansion of slavery, popular sovereignty, the Dred Scott decision, the Freeport Doctrine, and African American citizenship. Lincoln emphasized the need to confine slavery, challenged popular sovereignty, criticized the Dred Scott decision, and advocated for African American rights. Douglas, on the other hand, supported popular sovereignty, maintained the court’s decision, defended the Freeport Doctrine, and left the question of African American citizenship to the states. The surprising aspects of their views lay in Lincoln’s prioritization of unity and gradual change and Douglas’s commitment to popular sovereignty despite its potential contradictions.

  References

  Cultivating Race. (n.d.). Google Books. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=O-M3fb6aebMC&oi=fnd&pg=PP2&dq=Expansion+of+Slavery&ots=w0jhZTLkpO&sig=F4WTfRI9gB-VgfFSg44muhWxCEM 

  Right to Ride. (n.d.). Google Books. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=vzBFwqjvgigC&oi=fnd&pg=PR7&dq=African+American+Citizenship&ots=k0lIIOoTGD&sig=kquu_nqk16-Sj3w6hJkA889f3ec 

  The Dred Scott Decision, in the Light of Contemporary Legal Doctrines on JSTOR. (n.d.). https://www.jstor.org/stable/1832838