Dred Scott
Who delivered the ruling on the Scott case? What did the Supreme Court say about Scott's lawsuit for his freedom?
Chief Justice Roger B. Taney delivered the ruling on the Scott case, and the lawsuit for his freedom was not allowed in Supreme Court because people of African descent weren't considered people, they were considered property, therefore he shall not be a citizen and have a voice in the Supreme Court.
Why did Dred Scott sue for his freedom? What was his argument?
Dred Scott sued for his freedom because he was a slave in a freed slave, and that's the argument on why he should be freed.
Arguments to support dred Scott
If Scott was a resident or citizen of a free state, each should be allowed to sue for his freedom. ( Illnois and Wisconsin were both considered free ) In 1824, in Winny vs Whitesides, a slave sued for his freedom ( precedent: prior case that helps support a current case ) Scott should have the right to sue because he was the resident of Missouri, Scott had the right sue another person.
How did Northerners react to the new Fugitive Slave Law?
Northerners reacted to the new Fugitive Slave Law by publishing News articles about the unfair capturing of freed slaves.
Dred Scott vs Sanford 1857
Ruled that african americans could never become citizens, in slavery or not.
Arguments against Dred Scott
Scott shouldn't be free because he isn't a citizen of Illnois, but rather a traveller to Illnois. In 1851, in Strader vs Grahm three slave musicians were still considered slaves, even though they lived in free states, there status shall not change Scott isn't a citizen because black couldn't be citzens, even if they were free. If Scott is not a citizen, he cannot enjoy the rights given in the constitution ( the right to sue ). Slaves were considered property and therefore the 5th amendment ( which protects ones property).
What were Scott's arguments when his case reached the Supreme Court?
Scott's arguments when his case reached the Supreme Court was once he lived in a free state, he should be freed, and if he moved to a slave state, he shall not be a slave again. He also stated that anyone of African descent shall be an American citizen.
How did slavery officially end in the United States?
Slavery officially ended in the United States by adding the 14th amendment by stating that everyone in the united states shall be a citizen, whether born.
How did slaves sue for freedom? What were their arguments? Were they successful?
Slaves sued for freedom by claiming that they were transported to a free state where there mothers were already free. Their arguments were very hard to prove and therefore there were very unsuccessful.
How did the Compromise of 1850 change the Constitution's stance on escaped slaves?
The Compromise of 1850 changed the Constitution stance on escaped slaves because it decided where slavery could be expanded, and had a formal system in court about how the court would decide if a slave was a runaway.
What did the Constitution say about escaped slaves?
The Constitution stated that a runaway slave shall be returned to their slave master or slave masters. This clause was unclear about whose responsibility it was to return escaped slaves.
What was the effect of the Supreme Court's decision on the issue of slavery?
The effect of the Supreme court descicion on slavery was it increased anti slavery movements, and made the fights stronger than ever.
What was the initial impact of the Supreme Court decision on African Americans?
The initial impact of the Supreme Court decision on African Americans is made slaves no longer feel free because slave catchers could gather slaves anytime they wanted.
