Question

What was the outcome of the Dred Scott case?

A. The Court gave Dred Scott his freedom and upheld the constitutionality of the Missouri Compromise.

B. The Court ruled blacks could not be considered citizens and reversed part of the Missouri Compromise.

C. The Court did not rule because it did not recognize the right of a black man to sue.

D. The Court ruled that blacks were only citizens if they lived in Northern states or territories.

Answer 1

B. The Court ruled blacks could not be considered citizens and reversed part of the Missouri Compromise.

Here is the official ruling of the case:

1. "Persons of African descent cannot be, nor were ever intended to be, citizens under the U.S. Constitution. Plaintiff is without standingto file a suit."

2. "The Property Clause is only applicable to lands possessed at the time of ratification (1787). As such, Congress cannot ban slavery in the territories. Missouri Compromise is unconstitutional."

3. "Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment prohibits the federal government from freeing slaves brought into federal territories"