6 mar 1857 ano - Dred Scott v. Sandford

Descrição:

Dred Scott was a slave who lived in Illinois and Wisconsin where slavery was forbidden. When his master died, he sued the widow for freedom citing his residence in free states. The Supreme Court was divided on the case by Roger B. Taney eventually delivered the majority opinion. Scott could not sue because he was a slave and not a citizen of the United States. Instead, he was "private property" and because the 5th Amendment prohibted Congress from taking property without due process of law, the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional. The arguments for slavery by Southerners were affirmed by the Supreme Court