Few Supreme Court decisions have had a bigger impact on American history than Dred Scott v. Sandford.
Today, it’s widely regarded as one of the Court’s worst decisions and one the country later corrected through constitutional amendments.
What Happened?
Dred Scott was an enslaved man who argued that because he had lived in free territories where slavery was prohibited, he should be legally free. His case eventually reached the U.S. Supreme Court.
What Did the Court Decide?
The Supreme Court ruled that people of African descent were not citizens under the Constitution as it was interpreted in 1857 and therefore could not sue in federal court. The Court also ruled that Congress could not prohibit slavery in U.S. territories, giving constitutional protection to the expansion of slavery.
Why Did It Matter?
The decision intensified divisions over slavery at a time when the country was already deeply divided. Rather than settling the issue, it increased tensions that contributed to the events leading to the Civil War just a few years later.
How Does It Affect Us Today?
Although the decision itself was overturned, its legacy remains important. After the Civil War, Americans ratified the 13th Amendment, ending slavery, and the 14th Amendment, guaranteeing citizenship to everyone born or naturalized in the United States.
Why This Case Still Matters
- It remains one of the clearest examples that Supreme Court decisions can later be corrected.
- The 13th and 14th Amendments fundamentally changed the Constitution after this ruling.
- It shows how constitutional change happens when the American people and their elected representatives decide the nation needs a different path.