Analyzing The Dred Scott Decision Of 1857
The Dred Scott decision of 1857 is one of the most famous Supreme Court decisions because it declared that slaves could never become citizens of the United States. The Court’s 6-3 decision stated that the Constitution could not protect blacks and “blacks had no rights which the white man was bound to respect.” Since slaves could never become citizens they had no right to sue and Dred Scott remained a slave. The courts reputation following this decision plummeted to an all time low in the North and now Republicans of the time viewed the court as controlled by the Slave Power. During the 1830’s Dred Scott had traveled from Missouri to Illinois, where slavery had been prohibited by the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. Scott sued for his freedom,
claiming that his residence on free soil made him free. Following the court’s decision to keep him a slave Scott’s new master immediately emancipated Scott and his wife, Harriet. Both passed a few years later before the Civil War had begun. The decision only widened the gap between the North and South and President Buchanan stated that slavery existed in all the territories, “by virtue of the Constitution.” This decision essentially declared the Republican platform of restricting slavery’s expansion unconstitutional. Prior to the case, Democratic Party politicians had sought repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and were finally successful in 1854 with the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. This act permitted each newly admitted state south of the 40th parallel to decide whether to be a slave state or free state. Now, with Scott, the Supreme Court sought to permit the unhindered expansion of slavery into the territories. In conclusion the Dred Scott decision was one of the most pivotal events that split the North and South and let to Civil War.
claiming that his residence on free soil made him free. Following the court’s decision to keep him a slave Scott’s new master immediately emancipated Scott and his wife, Harriet. Both passed a few years later before the Civil War had begun. The decision only widened the gap between the North and South and President Buchanan stated that slavery existed in all the territories, “by virtue of the Constitution.” This decision essentially declared the Republican platform of restricting slavery’s expansion unconstitutional. Prior to the case, Democratic Party politicians had sought repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and were finally successful in 1854 with the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. This act permitted each newly admitted state south of the 40th parallel to decide whether to be a slave state or free state. Now, with Scott, the Supreme Court sought to permit the unhindered expansion of slavery into the territories. In conclusion the Dred Scott decision was one of the most pivotal events that split the North and South and let to Civil War.