Popular sovereignty was the idea that what?

Popular sovereignty was the political doctrine that the authority of a state and its government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, typically through their elected representatives. This concept emphasizes that the legitimacy of government stems from the will of the people, allowing them to decide on key issues, including the legality of slavery in U.S. territories. It played a significant role in the lead-up to the American Civil War, as it fueled debates over whether new states should permit slavery.