1. The first important decision that came out of the Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision was that African Americans, whether free or enslaved, were not and could never be citizens of the United States. This decision was a major blow to the civil rights of African Americans and reinforced the belief that they were not equal to white Americans in the eyes of the law. It also helped solidify the institution of slavery by denying African Americans the right to bring a case to court.
2. The second important decision that came out of the Dred Scott decision was that the Missouri Compromise of 1820, which had prohibited slavery in certain territories, was unconstitutional. This decision essentially invalidated the compromise and opened up the possibility of expanding slavery into new territories, further dividing the nation along North-South lines. This decision played a significant role in the lead up to the Civil War, as it heightened tensions between the North and the South over the issue of slavery and states' rights.
Choose and explain the two most important decisions that came out of the Supreme Court’s Dred Scott decision.
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