Final answer:
The Dred Scott case contributed to tensions leading up to the American Civil War by nullifying the Missouri Compromise and reinforcing the belief that enslaved individuals were property. It deepened the divide between the North and South and became a significant point of contention.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dred Scott Case and its Contribution to Tensions Leading up to the American Civil War
The Dred Scott case was a pivotal event that contributed to the tensions leading up to the American Civil War. The case involved Dred Scott, an enslaved African American man, who sued for his freedom based on the fact that he had resided in free states. However, the Supreme Court's decision in 1857, led by Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, ruled that enslaved individuals were not citizens and therefore could not sue in federal courts.
This decision had far-reaching consequences as it effectively nullified the Missouri Compromise of 1820, which had prohibited slavery in certain areas. It also reinforced the belief that enslaved individuals were property and could be taken anywhere, which angered abolitionists who fought against slavery's expansion. The Dred Scott case became a lightning rod for controversy and further deepened the divide between the North and South, fueling the tensions that ultimately erupted in the Civil War.
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