LAD #18: Dred Scott Decision

At the Scott v. Sanford the court was overlooking the larger issues of negro citizenship and disagreement over the Missouri Compromise so they changed the chief justice from Justice Nelson to Roger Taney. Taney did a better job than Nelson who focused on his opinion rather than the opinion of the majority. Taney stated that because they have negro ancestors that were sold to the country as slaves, even if they are free in the country they can not be considered citizens and not have the rights of a citizen. So this meant that Scott does not have a right to a court because he wasn't a citizen. He then moves to the Missouri Compromise stating that it is unconstitutional because in every state, citizens are guaranteed life, liberty, and property. Since slaves were considered property this essentially made slavery legal in all U.S. states. He concluded the case wrapping up what he just said and adding that Dred Scott was a slave in any state so the court ruled in favor of Sanford.