Question

Primary Source Analysis- Dred Scott v.

Directions:
• Analyze the primary source excerpts below.
● Answer the questions that follow each excerpt.
Excerpt of Judge Taney's Ruling in Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) - Part 1
"The question is simply this: Can a negro, whose ancestors were imported into this country, and sold as slaves.
become a member of the political community formed and brought into existence by the Constitution of the
United States, and as such become entitled to all the rights, and privileges, and immunities, guaranteed by
that instrument to the citizen?
The words "people of the United States" and "citizens" are synonymous terms, and mean the same thing.
They both describe the political body who... form the sovereignty [source of power], and who they are those
who hold the power and conduct the Government through their representatives - the Congress, the president,
etc."
in your own words, summarize what issue is being debated.

Answer 1

The issue debated in Dred Scott v. Sandford was whether a person of African descent could become a citizen and have rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

Step-by-step explanation:

The issue being debated in Dred Scott v. Sandford was whether a person of African descent, who was brought to the United States as a slave, could become a citizen and be entitled to the rights and privileges guaranteed by the Constitution.

Judge Taney's ruling argued that African-Americans, regardless of their status as free or enslaved, could not be citizens and did not have the same rights as white citizens. This ruling reinforced and upheld the institution of slavery.

This case was significant in the history of the United States as it deepened the divide between the North and the South, ultimately contributing to the tensions that led to the American Civil War.

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