Dred Scott Decision (P & E) (jan 1, 1846 – mar 1, 1857)

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Dred Scott was a slave who had moved with his owner to a free territory. After his slave owner died, he attempted to purchase his freedom from his late slave owner’s widow, to which she refused. She gave ownership to a new man after leaving Missouri. Scott attempted to sue his way to freedom, believing that he is subject to freedom because of him living in a free territory. Eventually, it was ruled that he was not free, because he was a slave before. The Supreme Court overruled many laws in this case which were in place to give slaves certain rights upon becoming free.

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