The Dred Scott Case Questions

Why did Dred Scott sue?

Scott was a slave but he was taken into a free territory. He sued for his freedom because he lived in a free state/territory. Lawyers say he should have been freed as soon as he went into the territory.

What will eventually overturn the Dred Scott case ruling?

The 14th amendment after the Civil War.

How did the South react?

The South was eccentric.

How did the north react?

They thought it was a horrendous ruling.

How did the Court rule?

-Dred Scott was property, not a citizen. -He would never become a citizen even if he was freed (free blacks were not considered citizens) -He could not file a lawsuit because he was not a citizen. -Congress had NO power to limit slavery. -Court ruled in southern advocate.

What impact did the Dred Scott case have on the Missouri Compromise?

It was unconstitutional because they could no longer limit slavery

What did the Dred Scott case imply for the case of free states?

Implied that no state could be a free state because they couldn't prohibit citizens from importing, owning, buying or selling slaves.