Dred Scott Decision

Definition

The Dred Scott Decision was a landmark Supreme Court ruling in 1857 that denied citizenship and legal rights to African Americans, declaring that enslaved people were property and could not sue for their freedom. This ruling intensified the already deep divisions over slavery in the United States, contributing to political tensions and the breakdown of compromises that had previously attempted to manage the issue.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Supreme Court ruled 7-2 against Dred Scott, stating that he was not a citizen and therefore had no right to sue in federal court.
2. The decision declared that Congress had no authority to prohibit slavery in federal territories, effectively nullifying the Missouri Compromise.
3. Chief Justice Roger B. Taney wrote the majority opinion, which emphasized that African Americans, whether free or enslaved, were not considered part of the original population of the United States.
4. The ruling further polarized the North and South, fueling abolitionist movements and contributing to the political climate leading up to the Civil War.
5. The Dred Scott Decision was later effectively overturned by the 14th Amendment, which granted citizenship rights to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S., including former enslaved people.

Review Questions

• How did the Dred Scott Decision impact the political landscape regarding slavery in America during the late 1850s?
  • The Dred Scott Decision exacerbated existing political tensions by declaring that Congress could not limit slavery in federal territories. This effectively nullified previous compromises like the Missouri Compromise and galvanized both pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions. It energized abolitionists who viewed the decision as a moral outrage while also emboldening Southern leaders who felt their interests were legally protected.
• In what ways did the Dred Scott Decision contribute to the secession of Southern states from the Union?
  • The Dred Scott Decision reinforced Southern beliefs about their rights regarding slavery, causing them to feel more secure in their position. With Congress unable to restrict slavery in territories, Southern states felt justified in defending their institutions and eventually seceding when they perceived a threat from Northern anti-slavery sentiment. The ruling essentially made it clear that any attempts to limit slavery would be met with legal challenges, heightening fears of Northern aggression.
• Evaluate how the Dred Scott Decision influenced the development of constitutional amendments during Reconstruction.
  • The Dred Scott Decision highlighted significant gaps in civil rights and citizenship within U.S. law, directly influencing the creation of the 14th and 15th Amendments during Reconstruction. The 14th Amendment sought to guarantee citizenship rights for all persons born or naturalized in the United States, countering the Court's ruling by providing a clear legal framework for African American citizenship. Similarly, the 15th Amendment aimed to secure voting rights for African American men, addressing inequalities perpetuated by decisions like Dred Scott. These amendments fundamentally reshaped American law and society by addressing injustices rooted in earlier rulings.

Related terms

Missouri Compromise: A legislative agreement passed in 1820 that attempted to balance the interests of slave and free states by allowing Missouri to enter as a slave state while Maine entered as a free state.

Fugitive Slave Act: A law passed in 1850 that required citizens to assist in the capture of escaped enslaved people and imposed penalties on those who helped them escape.

Secession: The act of withdrawing from an organization, union, or political entity, notably referring to the Southern states leaving the Union in response to rising tensions over slavery and the election of Abraham Lincoln.