Final answer:
The Dred Scott vs. Sanford case ruled that African Americans were not citizens and could not sue in a federal court. This decision further entrenched slavery and intensified the tensions between the North and South, leading to the Civil War.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Dred Scott vs. Sanford case was a landmark decision made by the Supreme Court in 1857. The court ruled that African Americans, whether enslaved or free, were not considered citizens and therefore could not sue in a federal court.
This decision had a significant impact on the nation as it further entrenched slavery and denied African Americans their rights. It also intensified the tensions between the North and South, fueling the abolitionist movement and ultimately contributing to the outbreak of the Civil War.
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