Question

Read the passage from the opinion of the court in Dred

Scott v. Sandford, written by Justice Taney.
The question before us is, whether the class of persons
described in the plea in abatement compose a portion of
this people, and are constituent members of this
sovereignty? We think they are not, and that they are not
included, and were not intended to be included, under the
word "citizens" in the Constitution, and can therefore
claim none of the rights and privileges which that
instrument provides for and secures to citizens of the
United States. On the contrary, they were at that time
considered as a subordinate and inferior class of beings,
who had been subjugated by the dominant race, and,
whether emancipated or not, yet remained subject to
their authority, and had no rights or privileges but such
as those who held the power and the Government might
choose to grant them.
What is Taney's claim in this passage?
O that Black people were covered by the Constitution's
definition of citizen
O that emancipated Black people had rights guaranteed
by the government
Othat Black people were not part of the group
considered citizens by the Constitution
Othat Black people would have to get the government's
permission to be citizens

Answer 1

Taney's claim in this passage is that Black people were not considered citizens by the Constitution.

Step-by-step explanation:

The claim made by Taney in this passage is that Black people were not part of the group considered citizens by the Constitution. Taney argues that Black people, whether emancipated or not, were seen as a subordinate and inferior class who had no rights or privileges unless granted by those in power. This opinion was a significant factor in denying Black people their rights and perpetuating a system of racial inequality and oppression.

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