Question

As part of its ruling in Dred Scott v. Sandford, the Supreme Court ruled that Congress lacked the power to outlaw ______ in the states.

Answer 1

In the Dred Scott v. Sandford decision, the Supreme Court declared that Congress could not prohibit slavery in the states, determining that Black individuals were not U.S. citizens and denying them any standing to sue in federal court.

Step-by-step explanation:

As part of its ruling in Dred Scott v. Sandford, the Supreme Court ruled that Congress lacked the power to outlaw slavery in the states. The 1857 decision, delivered by Chief Justice Roger Taney, emphasized that Black people, whether free or enslaved, were not considered citizens of the United States and therefore could not sue for their freedom. Additionally, the ruling rendered the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional, affirming that Congress had no authority to prohibit slavery in federal territories. This landmark decision exacerbated sectional tensions and was a contributor to the events leading up to the American Civil War.