What role did popular sovereignty play in antebellum America?

Popular sovereignty played a significant role in antebellum America, particularly in the context of territorial expansion and the contentious issue of slavery in the new territories. This principle allowed the residents of a territory to decide for themselves whether to allow slavery within their borders when applying for statehood. This concept was instrumental in the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which effectively repealed the Missouri Compromise and allowed for the possibility of slavery expanding into areas previously designated as free.

By granting the power of decision-making to the people living in these territories, popular sovereignty sought to address the divisive issues surrounding slavery and statehood in a manner that emphasized democratic choice. This approach, however, also led to violent conflict and tension, as pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers moved into these territories to influence the outcome, resulting in events such as "Bleeding Kansas." The reliance on popular sovereignty reflected both the democratic ideals of the period and the escalating divisions over the issue of slavery that would ultimately contribute to the Civil War.