Question

what was the dred scott decision

Answer 1

The Dred Scott decision was a landmark case in 1857 in which the US Supreme Court ruled that African Americans, whether enslaved or free, were not considered citizens and therefore could not sue for their freedom in federal court. The decision also invalidated the Missouri Compromise of 1820, which had prohibited slavery in certain territories. This decision, along with others, further fueled tensions between the Northern and Southern states and ultimately contributed to the outbreak of the American Civil War.