What does popular sovereignty refer to regarding slavery?

Popular sovereignty refers to the principle that residents of a territory have the authority to determine their own laws and policies, particularly regarding issues like slavery. In the context of the period leading up to the Civil War, this meant that the settlers in a territory could vote on whether to allow or prohibit slavery within their borders. This concept was prominent in debates about the expansion of slavery into new territories and states, especially as the United States acquired new land through events like the Mexican-American War.

This idea emerged as a compromise to address the contentious issue of slavery, suggesting a way for local populations to have a say in their governance rather than imposing a top-down federal solution. It became particularly significant with legislation such as the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which allowed settlers in those territories to decide for themselves whether they would permit slavery. The implications of popular sovereignty had direct consequences, leading to violent conflicts in territories like Kansas, often referred to as "Bleeding Kansas," as pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions clashed.

Thus, the concept of popular sovereignty was central to debates over slavery during this era and reflects the complexity of the democratic governance structure in the face of deep moral and political divisions.