Dred Scott V. Sandford Summary

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The Dred Scott v. Sandford case took place in 1857. Dred Scott (Plaintiff), a slave, was taken by his former master from Missouri (a slave state) to Illinois (a free state), then to the Louisiana Territory (free territory) and then back to Missouri where he was sold to Sandford (Defendant). Dred Scott sued in federal court arguing that his trips to free territory made him free. Scott argued that his trips to “free” Illinois and the Louisiana Territory made him free. Sanford argued that even if Scott was free, he was not a citizen of Missouri and therefore, that the Circuit Court lacked diversity jurisdiction over the case.Chief Justice Roger Taney said Article III, Section: 2 of the Constitution provides that the Judicial Power shall extend