mar 6, 1857 - Dred Scott v. Sandford
Description:
This was a Supreme Court case that was between Dred Scott, a slave, and John Sanford (misspelled in the court). Dred Scott sued for his freedom claiming freedom in Missouri. He sued because he resided in Illinois which was a free state and felt that he should be free even though a slave in Missouri. The Court (7-2) held that he did not have a right to sue in federal court because he was black so the case was dismissed on procedural grounds. Also held that Scott was property and that the Misouri Compromise was unconsitiutional. The impact was that it contributed to the divisions that helped Lincoln's election and the civil war.
Added to timeline:
African American Civil Rights
Date:
