Dred Scott Case Analysis

Words: 566
Pages: 3
Open Document
Supreme Court actions regarding the rights of African Americans throughout the early 20th century resulted in reduced possibilities of citizenship and set a precedent for the future civil limits of African Americans. The possibility of citizenship for African Americans dwindled due to the biased decisions of the Supreme Court. The backgrounds and personal views of the Supreme Court 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). …show more content…
During this case and numerous others, the Chief Justice placed his traditional personal beliefs above the ideals of the law to hinder impede the growing abolitionist movement. Furthermore, the actions of the Supreme Court worked to limit the rights of African Americans not only in the present, but in the future as well. The decision of the Supreme Court in the Dred Scott set the precedent for citizenship limits of African Americans. The results of the Dred Scott case affected not only Dred Scott, but also all people of African American descent. As Chief Justice Taney pondered the question of Dred Scott’s citizenship, “ he held that Scott was not a citizen and further that all emancipated slaves or their descendant could not become citizens.” (Potter) Due to this decision, freed slaves and their future generations would not be recognized by the court as citizens. Additionally, the results of the Dred Scott case undermined the already established Missouri Compromise and setback possibilities of citizenship in the South. After the ruling of the Dred Scott case, the South grew in confidence because because of the reestablished support for slavery in the federal government. The ruling also undermined the Missouri Compromise, which gave slaves who were residents of the state, freedom
Show More

Related Documents: Dred Scott Case Analysis

Dred Scott Case Analysis

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…

Words 927 - Pages 4

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…

Words 153 - Pages 1

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…

Words 1506 - Pages 7

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…

Words 601 - Pages 3

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…

Words 216 - Pages 1

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…

Words 171 - Pages 1

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…

Words 1548 - Pages 7

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…

Words 829 - Pages 4

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…

Words 238 - Pages 1

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…

Words 520 - Pages 3