Dred Scott v. Sandford

Year/Background

• (February 11, 1856- March 6, 1857) Dred Scott was a slave purchased by a surgeon in the U.S. Army. He would move them to a base in Wisconsin which was a free state. When the Dr. passed away Dred sued for his freedom because of his residence in a free state.

Vote

• The majority opinion was a 7-2 decision in-favor of Sandford.

Majority Opinion

• Summarized by saying that the constitution was not intended for negros. They were only property and could not petition for rights.

Dissenting Opinion

• Free people can obey and respect the decision so fraught with disastrous consequences

Concurring Opinion

• "for, that the said plaintiff is not a citizen of the State of Missouri, as alleged in the declaration, because he is a negro of African descent; his ancestors were of pure African blood, and were brought into this country and sold as negro slaves"

Influencing the Case

• Laws applied: U.S Constitution, Amendment V; Missouri Compromise
• Superseded By: U.S. Constitution Amendments XII, XIV

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