- What was Dred Scott's argument for why he and his wife should be free?
His argument was that since they had lived in free Illinois and Wisconsin territories, they had a right to be free. They had experience freedom and they should have a right to continue that freedom.
- What was the Supreme Court's decision?
The Chief Justice stated that African Americans do not have the leisure to stand in court and accuse others because that is only for the white American man. African Americans were not even considered citizens. Before the Supreme Court, the Scott couple went to smaller, federal courts. The first court agreed with the Scott's and said that they should be free but was soon denied that freedom.
- How did many Northerners react to the decision? Why?
The abolitionist got even more mad at the government which led to more revolts and protests. Some thought that if slaves were free then it would be difficult for the whites to find jobs and expand trade since all of them would be taken by Africans. Mrs. Emerson remarried to an abolitionist who was shocked after finding out that the she had slaves. The Scott's were then released. The Scott's had in some sense wasted their time in trying to fight for their freedom.
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