Raffay Khan
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Welcome to my, Raffay Khan’s , tour of the Freeport
Doctrine which was stated by Stephen Douglas, the
nominee at the time for the Illinois senate seat, during
a debate with Abraham Lincoln. This tour includes an
analysis, background information, significance, and
additional information on the topic including the
Freeport Doctrine itself.
The subsequent Page will be a Home where you can
access all the information by clicking the
corresponding BOX.
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“The next question propounded to me by Mr. Lincoln is, Can the people of a Territory
in any lawful way, against the wishes of any citizen of the United States, exclude slavery from
their limits prior to the formation of a State constitution? I answer emphatically, as Mr. Lincoln
has heard me answer a hundred times from every stump in Illinois, that in my opinion the
people of a Territory can, by lawful means, exclude slavery from their limits prior to the
formation of a State constitution. Mr. Lincoln knew that I had answered that question over and
over again. He heard me argue the Nebraska bill on that principle all over the State in 1854,
in 1855, and in 1856, and he has no excuse for pretending to be in doubt as to my position
on that question. It matters not what way the Supreme Court may hereafter decide as to the
abstract question whether slavery may or may not go into a Territory under the Constitution,
the people have the lawful means to introduce it or exclude it as they please, for the reason
that slavery cannot exist a day or an hour anywhere, unless it is supported by local police
regulations. Those police regulations can only be established by the local legislature; and if
the people are opposed to slavery, they will elect representatives to that body who will by
unfriendly legislation effectually prevent the introduction of it into their midst. If, on the
contrary, they are for it, their legislation will favor its extension. Hence, no matter what the
decision of the Supreme Court may be on that abstract question, still the right of the people
to make a Slave Territory or a Free Territory is perfect and complete under the Nebraska bill. I
hope Mr. Lincoln deems my answer satisfactory on that point” - Douglas
 Born April 23, 1813, Brandon, Vermont,
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U.S
He was an well known American
Politician and leader of the democratic
party
A Big Supporter of Popular Sovereignty
Won the Illinois state senate Chair
against Abraham Lincoln in 1858
He would lose to Lincoln in The
Presidential campaign of 1860
 The Freeport Doctrine was stated by Douglas during the second
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Lincoln-Douglas debate on August 27th, 1858.
The Two Men were competing to see who would claim the seat in
the senate for the state of Illinois.
Two important events that occurred beforehand were Kansas –
Nebraska Act, proposed by Douglas himself, and the Dred Scott
Vs. Sanford Case, and both influenced the debates heavily.
Douglas’s Kansas – Nebraska Act, which pushed Popular
Sovereignty or the ability for the people to make decisions,
backfired as anti and pro-slavery settlers rushed to the new
territories in other to claim them for their respective side.
The Dred Scott Vs Sanford Case concluded with the Supreme
court stating that “neither the Congress nor territorial
legislatures could prohibit slavery in a territory.”
 The Freeport Doctrine , in simpler terms, states that a
territory could determine whether to allow or not
allow slavery based on Popular Sovereignty, where the
authority of the government is based on the consent of
the people.
 THE PEOPLE DECIDE – Popular Sovereignty
 He believed it be a compromise between pro-slavery
and anti-slavery positions.
 Due to this, Southern opposition to Douglas increased
as he disregarding the fact that the supreme court
stated “neither the Congress nor territorial legislatures
could prohibit slavery in a territory.”
 The Freeport Doctrine was important part of American History
as it led up or effected several things in many ways.
 First of all, Due to it, Stephen Douglas gained harsh opposition
from southern pro-slavers as they believed he supported slavery
weakly
 It was a factor of the democratic party splinting up in 1860 with
the Northern Democrats nominating Douglas while the
Southern broke away and nominated John. C. Breckinridge
 Due to this, In the election of 1860 the Democratic part was split
in two with there votes divided. This Allowed Abraham Lincoln
to easily claim victory. If the democratic party never Split,
Lincoln might have never become president.
 How would history be different if Democrat Stephen A. Douglas
was elected president in 1860? Would we still have the Civil War?
This is why the Freeport Doctrine is a vital part of U.S history
 It can be associated with other sub-movements such as the
Kansas-Nebraska Act, The Dred Scott Vs. Sandford Case,
and Douglas attempt to Spread Popular Sovereignty.
 The Kansas-Nebraska Act, Repealed the Missouri
compromise and allowed residents of Kansas and Nebraska
to Choose between slavery and anti-slavery. It can be said
that the K-N act backfired as it led to conflict between proslavers and anti-slavers.
 The Dred Scott Case concluded with the supreme court
stating that the government could not prohibit slavery in a
territory.
 The Freeport Doctrine touched on these issues, pushing
Popular Sovereignty, and putting the control in the hands
of the people.
Douglas, Stephen. "Freeport Doctrine." Facts on File. N.p.,
1858. Web.
Goodwin, H. C. The Lecompton Constitution. Washington:
Buell & Blanchard, Printers, 1858. Print.
"Popular Sovereignty (political Doctrine)." Encyclopedia
Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web.
Porterfield, Jason. The Lincoln-Douglas Senatorial Debates of
1858 : A Primary Source Investigation. 1st ed. New York:
Rosen Central Primary Sources, 2005. Print.
Snyder, Robert. "Freeport Doctrine." Seton Hill. N.p., n.d.
Web.
"Stephen A. Douglas (United States Senator)." Encyclopedia
Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web.