Dred Scott Case
Who? Dred Scott, a slave suing for his freedom after living many years in Illinois and Wisconsin (free states).
What?Southern packed Supreme Court rules that since he is a slave, he cannot sue- concludes that slaves are property.
Goes further to declare Compromise of 1820 (Missouri Compromise) unconstitutional and Congress has no right to ban slavery from ANY territory.
When? March 6, 1857, right after Buchanan is inaugurated.
Importance: Gives slavery the power to extend wherever. Democratic Party split even further over Supreme Court's overruling of popular sovereignty. Northerners claim the ruling was an opinion, not an enforceable decision, so they defy it. Southerners are disgusted by the defiance.
What?Southern packed Supreme Court rules that since he is a slave, he cannot sue- concludes that slaves are property.
Goes further to declare Compromise of 1820 (Missouri Compromise) unconstitutional and Congress has no right to ban slavery from ANY territory.
When? March 6, 1857, right after Buchanan is inaugurated.
Importance: Gives slavery the power to extend wherever. Democratic Party split even further over Supreme Court's overruling of popular sovereignty. Northerners claim the ruling was an opinion, not an enforceable decision, so they defy it. Southerners are disgusted by the defiance.
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
Who? Abraham Lincoln- a self-educated Illinois lawyer running for Senator as a Republican.
Stephen Douglas- Democratic Senator, great debater, and leading popular sovereignty advocate
What? Lincoln challenges Douglas to debates at 7 places during the campaign for a Senate seat. The debates get the attention of the entire nation.
When?August to October 1858
Importance: Freeport Doctrine proposed by Douglas- even though the Supreme Court rules slavery can expand (Dred Scott Case), the people will still ultimately choose by popular sovereignty. Just like Jefferson's Embargo, some decisions cannot be enforced. The Doctrine splintered the already crumbling Democratic party- southerners didn't like Douglas' defiance of the Supreme Court. Douglas' idea makes him lose full democratic support of his nomination in the election of 1860. Also, Lincoln becomes the most prominent politician in the Republican party, eventually leading to his victory in the election of 1860.
Stephen Douglas- Democratic Senator, great debater, and leading popular sovereignty advocate
What? Lincoln challenges Douglas to debates at 7 places during the campaign for a Senate seat. The debates get the attention of the entire nation.
When?August to October 1858
Importance: Freeport Doctrine proposed by Douglas- even though the Supreme Court rules slavery can expand (Dred Scott Case), the people will still ultimately choose by popular sovereignty. Just like Jefferson's Embargo, some decisions cannot be enforced. The Doctrine splintered the already crumbling Democratic party- southerners didn't like Douglas' defiance of the Supreme Court. Douglas' idea makes him lose full democratic support of his nomination in the election of 1860. Also, Lincoln becomes the most prominent politician in the Republican party, eventually leading to his victory in the election of 1860.