Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857)

Who was Dred Scott?

An enslaved man who sued for his freedom after living in free territory

Who was Sanford?

The executor of Scott’s enslaver’s estate - the defendant in the case

What did Dred Scott argue?

That living in free territories made him a free man

What did Sanford argue?

That Scott wasn’t a U.S. citizen and couldn’t sue in federal court

Why did the Supreme Court take the case?

Lower courts disagreed on whether enslaved people who lived in free areas could claim freedom - raising big questions about citizenship and slavery

What constitutional question did the case raise?

Whether enslaved people were citizens and if Congress could ban slavery in U.S. territories

What was the Court’s decision?

Enslaved people were not citizens and couldn’t sue; the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional

What was the vote count?

7-2 decision against Scott.

Who wrote the majority opinion?

Chief Justice Roger B. Taney

Why was this decision important?

It increased tensions over slavery, denied citizenship to Black Americans, and led toward the Civil War

Was this case fair?

No - it violated human rights and was overturned by the 13th and 14th Amendments.