jan 4, 1857 - Dred Scott vs. Sandford
Description:
Description: U.S. Supreme Court decision in which Dred Scott tried to sue for his freedom. Scott was born a slave in Virginia, then moved to St Louis and was sold to an army surgeon who took him to the Wisconsin territory. Scott believed that this is what would later on make him a free man when his owner died.
Cause: The death of his owner in a free state caused Scott to sue for his freedom, as he thought he should be able to have it.
Historical Impact: The court ruled that it is unconstitutional for congress to take away someone’s property (slaves were considered property back then), and African Americans also did not have the rights to sue in court. The final art of the ruling was that congress could not regulate slavery in territories.
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