Background and Legal Argument
The Dred Scott case was a landmark Supreme Court decision in 1857 that had a profound effect on the slavery debate in the United States. The case revolved around an enslaved man named Dred Scott, who had been taken by his master, an officer in the US Army, from the slave state of Missouri to the free state of Illinois and the Wisconsin Territory (Bigham, 2018). After his master’s death, Scott sued for his freedom in the Missouri courts, arguing that his new residence in a free state and territory had made him a free man.
Supreme Court Ruling and Its Immediate Impact
The Supreme Court, in a 7-2 majority, ruled against Scott and determined that due to his race, he was not a citizen of the US and thus could not take action in a federal court. Further, this ruling determined that the 1820 Missouri Compromise, which had stopped slavery in the territories, was unconstitutional, thus allowing slavery to spread to the whole western region (Bigham, 2018). The Supreme Court’s ruling in the Scott v. Sanford case was a devastating blow to African Americans and the anti-slavery movement in the US.
Political Consequences and Historical Significance
The Dred Scott case is a defining moment in American history, for it demonstrated the might of the Supreme Court in matters of widespread significance. Despite the unpopularity of the ruling in the northern states, it brought to a close the dispute on slavery in the US, making it plain that slavery was permissible in all territories and states. Moreover, this decision led to the formation of the Republican Party, which was dedicated to preventing the spread of slavery.
Long-Term Effects and Role in the Abolition Movement
The Dred Scott decision was arguably the most effective way of settling the conflict over slavery. By allowing slavery in all states and territories, the decision removed much of the ambiguity surrounding the issue and established the legal basis for the spread of the institution. Furthermore, it provided an impetus for the formation of the Republican Party and the subsequent election of Abraham Lincoln, who went on to push for the abolition of slavery. Ultimately, the Dred Scott case was a critical moment in American history, as it ensured that slavery would be a part of the United States for many decades to come.
Reference
Bigham, D. E. (2018). Slavery on the periphery: The Kansas-Missouri border in the Antebellum and Civil War eras. Journal of American History, 105(1), 173–174. Web.