squatter sovereignty


noun U.S. History.

(used contemptuously by its opponents) popular sovereignty(def 2).

Origin of squatter sovereignty

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

Words nearby squatter sovereignty

Example sentences from the Web for squatter sovereignty

  • This was logical, but it made the "squatter-sovereignty" doctrine ridiculous.

    The Middle Period 1817-1858 |John William Burgess
  • Here was the germ of "squatter-sovereignty," afterward developed by Mr. Douglas in his Kansas-Nebraska bill.

    The Middle Period 1817-1858 |John William Burgess

British Dictionary definitions for squatter sovereignty

squatter sovereignty

noun

a derogatory term for popular sovereignty