Which of the following was stated as part of the Dred Scott v. Sandford ruling?

Question

1. Only Congress could decide whether to allow slavery in the territories.
2. Congress could not decide whether to allow slavery in the territories.
3. Popular sovereignty was unconstitutional
4. Slavery was unconstitutional.

Answer 1

In the Dred Scott v. Sandford ruling (1857), the Supreme Court stated that:

2. Congress could not decide whether to allow slavery in the territories.

The Court ruled that the federal government did not have the authority to regulate slavery in the territories, which essentially invalidated the Missouri Compromise and ruled that African Americans could not be considered citizens. The ruling did not support the idea of popular sovereignty nor declare slavery unconstitutional.