The origin and history of the doctrine of popular sovereignty

Abstract

In this study of the Doctrine of Popular Sovereignty the principal attention has been devoted to its origin and its growth as a political policy until Stephen A. Douglas became its champion and secured its adoption by Congress as the "principle" of the Kansas-Nebraska bill. To this portion of the subject, commonly over-looked, the first four chapters are devoted. The chief source of information for these Chapters, as also for chapter V has been the volumes of the Congressional Globe from 1846 to 1864. From these records considerable information not given in secondary authorities has been gleaned, and the attempt has been to transfer it in organized form to the pages of this study.