D3) Dredd Scott Case Flashcards
1
Q
Who was Dred Scott?
A
- sl from Missouri
- moved with his owner to free states illinios & wisconsin, got married here, then back to missouri w master (who he got on well with)
2
Q
what happened after dred scott’s master dies?
A
- 1840s, sued his master’s widow for his freedom for wrongful imprisonment, claiming he should be free as he’d lived on sl land for 4 years
- his wife and kids’ freedom concerned too
- helped by anti-sl lawyers
3
Q
what questions became apparent once the case came to the supreme court?
A
- a national issue
- after long & drawn-out case
- can a sl sue for his freedom?
- is slavery legal?
- is a sl property?
4
Q
what was the makeup of the supreme court?
A
- 5 Ss, 4Ns, lead by CHIEF JUSTICE ROGER TANEY- from Maryland, quite moderate, a roman catholic so against sl but wanted it gone gradually
5
Q
what do republicans crit buchanan for after his inaugeration speech?
A
- dred scott decision made 6th march, inaugeration is 4th march
- reps calimed the whispered convos between taney and buchanan on inaugeration day wre proof that he knew the decision before asking As to accept it
6
Q
what did buchanan say of the case in his inaugeration speech?
A
- claimed he knew nothing of court’s decision, said he was ready to ‘cheerfully submit’ to its verdict and urged all As to do so too
7
Q
what was the northern reaction to the decision?
A
- N NPs launched harsh onslaught on SC & some editors talked of defyin the law
- speculation of buchanan- sets off presidency with corruption + bias + S leanings evident- fueled by reps
- further sectional antagonism- seen by some Ns as an attempt to outlaw rep party
- Ns angered- further proof of slave power
- refuse to enforce FSL- increase PLLs, start actively hiding & helping ppl
8
Q
what was the dred scott decision?
A
- slaves cannot sue the US for their freedom bc they are property
- they are NOT citizens & have no legal right under const
- black ppl, whether sl or free, did not have the same rights as white ppl
- so SC has basically legalised slavery by saying that:
- Congress could not stop a slave owner from moving his slaves to a new territory
- missouri comp & all other comps (1850, pop sov now has no basis) were unconstitutional and so illegal
9
Q
how did the south react to the decision?
A
- call upon the N to accept decision if the S is to remain in union
10
Q
what did republicans say abt the decision?
A
- siad it was not legally binding and should be appealed
11
Q
what was dred scott’s fate?
A
- decision had little effect on him- was able to purchase his freedom w help of N sympathisers