Dred Scott Decision

Multiple Choice

Why was John Brown’s Raid on Harper’s Ferry a cause of the Civil War? 

• It led to the freeing of thousands of slaves which angered many southerners 

• It increased the power of Northern representatives in Congress

• It increased divisions between the North and South over the issue of slavery

• It caused the South to organize their own rebellion to take down abolitionists

Multiple Choice

What was the reason that Dred Scott brought a lawsuit against John Sanford? 

• He argued that slavery violated his Constitutional rights 

• He argued that he should be free since he lived in free territory 

• He claimed that John Sanford unlawfully enslaved him after his master had already freed him 

Partner Practice

The job of a Supreme Court justice is to analyze the law and determine its meaning.

You will work with your partner to analyze sources and determine how you think the Supreme Court answered this question in 1857:

Were African Americans (enslaved or free) citizens of the U.S. and entitled to rights as citizens?

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Multiple Choice

What did the Supreme Court decide about African American citizenship in 1857?

• That free African Americans were citizens but enslaved people were not

• That all African Americans are citizens if they are born in this country

• That free and enslaved African Americans were not citziens

How do you think the Supreme Court answered this question?

TURN & TALK

Multiple Choice

Which of the following was a part of the Dred Scott Decision?

• That enslaved people could sue for their freedom in free territories

• That the Constitution protects slave-holders right to bring property anywhere in the U.S.

• The repeal of the Fugitive Slave Act

• The right of states to decide if they want to allow slavery in their state

Multiple Choice

Why were Northerners outraged by the Dred Scott decision? 

• They felt the decision allowed slavery to exist anywhere in the U.S., even in free territories 

• They felt the decision violated the 5th amendment to the Constitution 

• They felt the decision did not do enough to protect Dred Scott 

Multiple Choice

Why was the Dred Scott decision a cause of the Civil War? 

• It caused the government to abolish slavery in the entire U.S. in retaliation 

• It caused a reversal of the Compromise of 1850 

• It increased divisions between the North and South over the issue of slavery