Final answer:
The Freeport Doctrine was a statement made by Stephen A. Douglas that asserted the right of people in a territory to exclude slavery despite the Dred Scott decision. It further fueled the tensions between the North and the South on the issue of slavery and played a role in the lead up to the Civil War.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Freeport Doctrine was a statement made by Stephen A. Douglas, a prominent figure in American politics during the mid-19th century. It was a response to the growing division over the issue of slavery in the United States. The doctrine stated that the people of a territory had the right to exclude slavery despite the Dred Scott decision, which had ruled that the federal government could not prohibit slavery in the territories.
This doctrine was significant because it highlighted the tension between popular sovereignty and the Supreme Court's interpretation of the Constitution. It also further deepened the divide between the North and the South on the issue of slavery and played a role in shaping the events leading up to the American Civil War.
For example, during the Lincoln-Douglas debates in 1858, Abraham Lincoln challenged Douglas on the Freeport Doctrine, arguing that it contradicted the Dred Scott decision and undermined the authority of the Supreme Court. This debate elevated the issue of slavery and helped Lincoln gain national attention and support.
Learn more about The Freeport Doctrine and its significance on the issue of slavery in the United States