Dred Scott v. Sandford
Court Case
What did the case entail? What was it about? Which amendment?
This court case was about the slave Dred Scott, Dred was purchased in Missouri and then brought to Illinois, which is a free non-slave state. Him and his owner moved to Minnesota where slavery has been prohibited, then the slave owner died and Dred sued the person to whom he was left with, saying he isn't a slave anymore because he was free after living in that state. The Supreme Court said that Dred Scott was not a citizen of the state which they later decided that he was not a free man. The Dred Scott decision was overturned by the 13th and 14th amendment.
Who was involved in the court case?
Dred Scott
Enslaved African man
Harriet Scott
Enslaved African woman
John Sandford
Was a Army Surgeon for Fort Snelling
What was the time period? What other events were happening that are related?
Dred Scott v. Sandford happened in the 1857. Two other similar court cases are Jones v. Van Zandt and also Strader v. Graham.
What part of the country did the issue originate? Did the location play a part in its case?
Originated in the Middle East in Missouri. Yes, the location did play a part because in that state, slavery was allowed.
Why is the case important? What is the significance? What is the impact today?
It was important because a black man (free or slave) can have citizenship, which blacks were unable to petition the court for their freedom, and cannot sue the federal court. It impacts us today by realizing how bad blacks were treated back then.