The Dred Scott Case

Summary

The Dred Scott case, decided in 1857, was a pivotal U.S. Supreme Court decision that declared African Americans, even if free, were not considered citizens under the Constitution. Dred Scott, a slave who sued for his freedom after living in free territories, saw his claim denied, and the Court ruled the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional. The decision fueled tension over slavery and bolstered the abolitionist movement, though it did not settle the debate. The case remains a significant moment in U.S. legal and civil rights history.

Takeaways

• 📜 Dred Scott was born a slave in Virginia in the 1790s and was sold to John Emerson, a U.S. Army doctor.
• 👩‍👧 Scott married and had two daughters while he was enslaved.
• ⚖️ After Emerson's death, Scott sued his widow for freedom, claiming he was illegally held.
• 🗺️ Scott argued for his freedom based on being taken to Illinois and Wisconsin, both free territories.
• 🏛️ The case reached the Supreme Court as Dred Scott v. Sanford in 1857.
• 🔍 The Court ruled that it lacked jurisdiction because Scott was not considered a U.S. citizen.
• 📜 The ruling emphasized that neither slaves nor their descendants were recognized as citizens at the time of the Constitution's adoption.
• 🚫 The Court stated that slaves could not lose their status as property simply by being in free territories.
• ⚖️ The decision declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional, marking only the second time the Supreme Court ruled an act of Congress unconstitutional.
• 📈 The ruling intensified tensions over slavery and bolstered the Abolitionist Movement and the Republican Party.

Q & A

Who was Dread Scott and what was his background?

Dread Scott was born as a slave in Virginia in the 1790s. He was sold to John Emerson, a doctor in the US Army, who allowed Scott to marry and have two daughters.

What significant legal action did Dread Scott take?

Dread Scott sued Emerson's widow for his freedom, claiming he was illegally held as a slave when his master took him to free territories like Illinois and Wisconsin.

What was the outcome of Scott's case?

The case, known as Dread Scott v. Sanford, was decided by the Supreme Court on March 6, 1857. The Court ruled that it did not have jurisdiction because Scott was not considered a citizen of the United States.

Why did the Supreme Court determine Scott was not a citizen?

The Court stated that the Constitution only recognized citizens of different states, and at the time of its adoption, individuals imported as slaves and their descendants were not acknowledged as part of 'the people.'

What constitutional amendment was referenced in the case?

The Fifth Amendment was referenced, which states that no one can be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process. The Court argued that slaves could not lose their status as property merely by entering free territories.

What did the Court declare about the Missouri Compromise?

The Court declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional, stating it would deprive property rights, as it aimed to restrict the expansion of slavery into certain territories.

How many justices agreed with the Court's decision?

Seven justices agreed with the decision while two dissented.

What was the dissenting opinion regarding black citizenship?

The dissenting justices argued that blacks could become citizens, citing that they had the right to vote in 10 out of the 13 states at the time of the Constitution's founding.

What was the broader impact of the Dread Scott decision?

The decision intensified tensions over slavery in the United States, being seen as offensive in the North, and it bolstered the Abolitionist Movement and the newly formed Republican Party.

What happened to Dread Scott after the case?

Dread Scott's family was eventually able to purchase their freedom, but he died less than two years after being freed.