Dred Scott v. Standford
Background Information
Dred Scott was a slave in Missouri. From 1833 to 1843, he moved and lived in Illinois a free slave state. There slavery was forbidden by the Missouri Compromise of 182O. Scott's master wanted him back, Dred took him to Court claiming he was a free slave now.
Constitutional Question
The Fifth Amendment
Decision/Lasting Effect
The court ruled 7 votes for Sandford, 2 votes against. The Court reached the conclusion that no person descended from an American slave had ever been a citizen for Article III purposes.