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Dred Scott Decision Essay

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In 1846, Scott sued his and his family’s freedom, but was rejected by the Supreme Court 11 years later. The final ruling had an immense impact politically, economically and socially. (Bell. “Civil War on the Western Border”). Chief Justice Roger B. Taney wrote an opinion against Scott, which makes logical sense since he is a southerner. This man stated that no African American could ever enjoy the rights of a U.S. citizen, thus not being able to sue. He also said that the federal government had no authority to limit the expansion of slavery, declaring that the Missouri Compromise of 1820 unconstitutional. In all, the Dred Scott Decision infuriated abolitionists and Republicans, because they wanted to prevent the expansion of slavery in the West. They also feared that slavery would spread. This …show more content…

Brown led a small group of around 20 men on a journey to Virginia where they seized the federal armory and arsenal and gave guns to the slaves. He hoped that the slaves would join in on this rebellion to destroy the practice of slavery. Unfortunately, the slaves had no idea what was going on since there was no communication. Robert E. Lee arrived at the house and discovered Brown, who was taking shelter. (“John Brown’s Harpers Ferry Raid”). He killed many of the raiders and captured Brown. Furthermore, John Brown was placed on trial for treason and was ultimately hanged on December 2nd, 1859. (Boyer. “On the Brink of War”). Right before Brown’s execution, he handed his guard a slip that read, “I, John Brown, am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away but with blood.” (John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry”). This statement may have been real life foreshadowing of the Civil War. In the long run the raid failed, but it enraged the sectional tensions and became a crucial discussion topic for the 1860 presidential

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