Dred Scott Case Analysis

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Based on the rulings established by previous court cases and various federal laws, the enslavement of Dred Scott cannot be justified. Court cases such as Prigg v. Pennsylvania and Winny v. Whitesides emphasize the importance of the recognition of slaves as free citizens after they are brought into anti-slavery territories. Not only do these court cases support Dred Scott’s innocence and freedom, but the subsequent laws also further enforce the idea that Scott is a citizen. The Northwest Ordinance, Mason-Dixon Line, Missouri Compromise, and federal and state laws, help formulate the conclusion that Dred Scott should be rightfully subjected to equal rights obtained by other citizens of the United States. Much like Prigg v. Pennsylvania, Dred Scott was taken from a slave state to a free state. …show more content…
The Missouri Compromise in 1820 declares slavery is prohibited above the 36° 30’ North Latitude Line, and the Northwest Ordinance forbids slavery in the Wisconsin Territory. Although the Property Clause can be argued that it makes the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional because it only affects lands at the time of ratification, the Northwest Ordinance was accepted before the ratification, therefore it still holds the prohibition of slavery in the Wisconsin Territory. This correlates with the 1824 Winny v. Whitesides court case where Winny, a slave, was taken to the Northwest Territory, but through the Missouri Compromise and Northwest Ordinance, was declared a citizen. Because in the Winny v. Whitesides, it was declared that slaves must be free once in a free state, this grants Scott the freedom and rights as a citizen. Also seen in another court case Rachel v. Walker, it was declared that owning a slave when entering into a free state was against the law. Therefore through these rights, Scott is able to certify his

Dred Scott Case Analysis

Justices influenced decisions concerning the citizenship of African Americans. “ 5 of the 9 Justices who took part in the Dred Scott case were from the South including Chief Justice Robert Taney. There was a strong pro-slavery sentiment amongst the members of the Supreme Court and therefore led to the ruling against the citizenship of free African Americans.” (Potter).…

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Dred Scott V. Sandford Case Analysis

In the Dred Scott v. Sandford case (argued 1856 - decided 1857), the Supreme Court ruled that Americans of African descent, whether free or slave, were not American citizens and could not sue in federal court. The Supreme argued that Scott's status as a citizen of a free state under the Missouri Compromise did not give him status as a U.S. citizen. While states were free to create their own citizenship criteria, the Constitution only gives Congress authority to define national citizenship. The Court…

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Dred Scott Vs. Sandford Case Analysis

The case of Dred Scott vs Sandford is perhaps one of the most well-known cases in the United States. This case exhibits the almost complete absence of justice, human rights, and the unbiased decision by the court and juries. Dred Scott supported his case with valid evidence and reasoning, yet the court of law still saw him as an inferior and did not judge his case validly or fairly. It was in the early 1840’s and the tension of slavery between the north and the south was rising all throughout the…

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Dred Scott Vs Sanford Case Analysis

Multiple cases overtime have caused power to fluctuate between federal and state government. Dred Scott V. Sanford and McCulloch V. Maryland are two cases that the supreme court faced and ruled in favor of the federal government causing the power to shift towards the federal government. In Dred Scott V. Sanford, Dred Scott was a slave in Missouri for 10 years before going to Illinois which was a free state, and then going back to Missouri claiming to be a free man because he had lived in Illinois…

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Dred Scott Vs Harvard Case Analysis

Gavin Paczosa Dred Scott vs Sanford was based upon a slave in the hopes being granted his freedom. Scott lived in a free state, Illinois and then moved back to a slave state which was Missouri. Scott went to the Supreme Court in attempt to be granted that freedom he deserved. The majority opinion of the Court was against Scott. They were against Scott because him being black meant that he was not citizen which therefore meant he had no right to sue. The court also believed that Congress did not…

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Dred Scott Vs Stanford Case Analysis

Upon President Buchanan’s arrival into office, the case of Dred Scott v. Stanford was being closed. The case involved a slave that had been transferred around the country who was fighting for his freedom, claiming that the states he had resided in were free states therefore he should be granted his freedom. The jury sided with Brown, but the Supreme Court overruled them. This ruling was just one more decision the government made that sparked outrage towards slavery. Violence over the issue was inevitable…

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Dred Scott V. Taney's Case Analysis

In March of 1857, the U S Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, delivered a pro-slavery decision in the Dred Scott v. Sanford case. Scott, a slave in the free state of Illinois and free territory of Wisconsin, wanted his freedom when he moved to Missouri, a slave state. Taney ruled against Scott, declaring that Africans were not United States citizens and, thusly, had no right to sue. He basically declared that all Africans either slave or free were not and could never become citizens…

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Dred Scott V. Sandford Case Analysis

Dred Scott was a slave in Missouri who lived in the free state of Illinois from 1833 to 1843. He later returned to Missouri and sued the Missouri courts for his freedom in 1846. His argument with state courts was that because he lived in a free state, he was a free man. This was unsuccessful and the case was appealed . Scott then brought his case to the federal courts. Unfortunately the verdict was the same and it was ruled that Scott was still considered a slave in the state of Missouri. Scott appealed…

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Dred Scott V. Sandford Case Analysis

Dred Scott v. Sandford This case involved a man named Dred Scott. Scott was a slave and lived in the slave state known as Missouri. In 1834 Illinois was considered a free state due to the Missouri Compromise of 1820. Also in the year 1834, Scott was purchased by a white man, and then moved to Illinois with his new owner. The dream was too short for Scott because Scott and his owner eventually returned to Missouri. Dred Scott felt that because he had lived in Illinois, a free slave territory, he should…

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Dred Scott Vs Sanford Case Analysis

The Dred Scott versus Sanford case constrained numerous Northerners to the conclusion that slavery could either be restricted everywhere or not at all. Dred Scott was a slave who was brought to a free state by his owner. After living in a free state for a few years his lawyers believed he merited his freedom. The Supreme Court Chief clarified Dred Scott did not have a case since he is considered property, not a person. The choice angered…

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