Stephen a douglas cause of death

Biography of Stephen A. Douglas, Former United States Senator

Stephen Douglas was a politician from Illinois who rose to prominence in the mids, as the debate in the United States over the issue of slavery intensified.

Douglas was born in Vermont and grew up there and in New York. In , he moved west, looking for new opportunities, and settled in Illinois. He was admitted to the bar in , founded his own law firm, and soon was involved in politics.

He was elected to the Illinois General Assembly in , appointed Secretary of State of Illinois in , and became a member of the Illinois Supreme Court.

Stephen douglas region of support

In and , he was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He was an outspoken supporter of “Manifest Destiny” and supported the annexation of Texas and the Mexican-American War. In , he was elected to the U.S. Senate.

As the United States looked to organize new western territories like New Mexico and Utah, the debate over the extension of slavery intensified. Douglas believed in