Dred Scott Case Analysis

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Supreme Court actions regarding the rights of African Americans throughout the early 20th century resulted in reduced possibilities of citizenship and set a precedent for the future civil limits of African Americans. The possibility of citizenship for African Americans dwindled due to the biased decisions of the Supreme Court. The backgrounds and personal views of the Supreme Court Justices influenced decisions concerning the citizenship of African Americans. “ 5 of the 9 Justices who took part in the Dred Scott case were from the South including Chief Justice Robert Taney. There was a strong pro-slavery sentiment amongst the members of the Supreme Court and therefore led to the ruling against the citizenship of free African Americans.” (Potter). …show more content…
During this case and numerous others, the Chief Justice placed his traditional personal beliefs above the ideals of the law to hinder impede the growing abolitionist movement. Furthermore, the actions of the Supreme Court worked to limit the rights of African Americans not only in the present, but in the future as well. The decision of the Supreme Court in the Dred Scott set the precedent for citizenship limits of African Americans. The results of the Dred Scott case affected not only Dred Scott, but also all people of African American descent. As Chief Justice Taney pondered the question of Dred Scott’s citizenship, “ he held that Scott was not a citizen and further that all emancipated slaves or their descendant could not become citizens.” (Potter) Due to this decision, freed slaves and their future generations would not be recognized by the court as citizens. Additionally, the results of the Dred Scott case undermined the already established Missouri Compromise and setback possibilities of citizenship in the South. After the ruling of the Dred Scott case, the South grew in confidence because because of the reestablished support for slavery in the federal government. The ruling also undermined the Missouri Compromise, which gave slaves who were residents of the state, freedom
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