Dred Scott decision
In 1857, a controversial Supreme Court decision added fuel to the fire. Dred Scott, a Missouri slave, sued for his freedom because he had lived for a period time with his master in the free state of Illinois and the free territory of Wisconsin.
DRED SCOTT V SANFORD
The big issue
Many slaves who had lived in free territory had been granted freedom in court. Dred Scott believed he could gain his freedom in a similar way. Scott had lived with his master in free territory for several years. Upon moving back south with his masters, trance got sued for his freedom.
Decision to make
The US Supreme Court had to decide if slaves could gain freedom just by living in every state. The Dred Scott case gave the US Supreme Court the opportunity to make a strong statement either for or against slavery.
The court ruled against Prescott. The court declared that African-Americans were not citizens. The court went on to declare the banning slavery in US territories was not unconstitutional. The federal government had no right to stop the expansion of slavery into western territories.
Southern view upheld
Sebring Corazon is traveling with the Southern view of slaves as property. The decision also greatly limited the rights and freedoms of free blacks, who are officially declared non-citizens. The courts decision also caused greater sectionalism. It greatly angered the north and further divided the nation.