What was the Dred Scott v. Sandford case?
Q: What was the Dred Scott v. Sandford case?
A: The Dred Scott v. Sandford case was a US Supreme Court landmark decision in March 1857, which ruled that blacks, whether slaves or free, were not citizens of the United States and could not sue in federal court.
Q: Why did Dred Scott bring his case to court?
A: Dred Scott brought his case to court because he claimed that he was free due to having lived in free territory.
Q: What happened after the Supreme Court's ruling?
A: After the Supreme Court's ruling denying Scott his freedom by ruling that blacks were not US citizens, Abraham Lincoln was elected and then the American Civil War began.
Q: How long had legal cases been going on before the Dred Scott decision?
A: Legal cases had been going on for 11 years from 1846 to 1857 before the Dred Scott decision.
Q: How long did Dred Scott have freedom for prior to this ruling?
A: Prior to this ruling, Dred Scott had freedom for about two years due to rulings from lower federal district court and Missouri courts.
Q: What has been said about this Supreme Court decision?
A: This Supreme Court decision has been condemned by many as being their worst decision ever made.
Q: What event led up to Abraham Lincoln becoming elected president of the United States?
A: The event leading up to Abraham Lincoln becoming elected president of the United States was the outcome of the Dred Scott case denying him his freedom by ruling that blacks were not US citizens.
