What role did the Dred Scott decision play in the debates?
In its Dred Scott decision, the U. S. Supreme Court declared the black people could never be citizens of the United States. Lincoln was horrified at this ruling. He insisted that the decision should be overturned. He charged it was part of a conspiracy among all 3 branches of government-executive, legislative, and judicial-to make slavery permanent in every part of the country. Douglas tried to play down the decision, but Lincoln brought it up every time he could. Can you describe the events that brought Lincoln back into politics and to the place where he was chosen to run against Douglas? Lincoln had been out of politics ever since serving a single term in Congress. He was practicing law and, for once, earning good money. Then Senator Douglas authored a new law in Congress. It repealed the old Missouri Compromise which forbade slavery in the North. And it created a new “doctrine” called “Popular Sovereignty.” Under this new idea, the settlers in new territories would be allowed to vo
