Dred Scott v Sandford
Dred Scott decision, formally Dred Scott v. John F.A. Sandford, legal case in which the U.S. Supreme Court on March 6, 1857, ruled (7–2) that a slave (Dred Scott) who had resided in a free state and territory (where slavery was prohibited) was not thereby entitled to his freedom; that African Americans were not and could never be citizens of the United States; and that the Missouri Compromise (1820), which had declared free all territories west of Missouri and north of latitude 36°30′, was unconstitutional. The decision added fuel to the sectional controversy and pushed the country closer to civil war.
Syllabus
A headnote; a short note preceding the text of a reported case that briefly summarizes the rulings of the court on the points decided in the case. The syllabus appears before the text of the opinion.
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Chief Justice R.Taney
Delivered the majority opinion of the Court.
Was a federalist until the party dissolved and then became a Democrat. Was a Unionist that condemned slavery as a blot on our national character. |
Justice J. Wayne
Wrote a Concurring Opinion.
Was a Democrat and a Unionist even though his son was a General in the Confederate Army. |
Justice S. Nelson
Wrote a Concurring Opinion with a separate reason.
Was a Northern Democrat and Pro-Union . |
Justice R. Grier
Wrote a Concurring Opinion with a separate reason.
Was a Democrat and Pro-Union that also carried pro-slavery views. |
Justice P. Daniel
Wrote a Concurring Opinion with a separate reason.
Was a Democrat with Pro-Slavery views. |
Justice J. Campbell
Wrote a Concurring Opinion.
Was a Democrat with Pro-Slavery views. Joined the confederacy during the war and was appointed Confederate Assistant Secretary of War by Confederate President Jefferson Davis. |
Justice J. Catron
Wrote a Concurring Opinion with a separate reason.
Was a Democrat with Pro-Slavery and Pro-Union Views. |
Justice J. McLean
Wrote a Dissenting Opinion.
Was a member of every political party available at the time at some point in time. He was anti-slavery and his son became a general in the Union Army. |
Justice B. Curtis
Wrote a Dissenting Opinion.
Started out as a Whig and eventually became a Republican. He resigned from the Supreme Court with the Dred Scott ruling being cited as a primary reason. |
