Dred Scott Court Case
Who was involved? Think about the people or groups who were involved and affected by this event.
What happened? Summarize the event!
Where did the event take place?
When did the event take place?
Why is this event important to Georgia’s history?
The people or groups involved in the Dred Scott Court Case were Dred Scott, an enslaved African American man, and his owner, John Emerson. The decision of the court also impacted the African American community in general.
In the Dred Scott Court Case, Dred Scott sued for his freedom in 1846, claiming that his time spent in free territories had made him free. However, the Supreme Court, in an infamous decision, ruled that as a black person, Scott was not considered a citizen and therefore did not have the right to sue for his freedom. This decision not only denied Scott's claim for freedom but also reinforced the institution of slavery.
The event took place in the United States, primarily in Missouri, where Scott initially filed his lawsuit. The case eventually reached the United States Supreme Court in Washington, D.C.
The Dred Scott Court Case took place from 1846 to 1857, with the final decision being handed down on March 6, 1857.
The Dred Scott Court Case is important to Georgia's history because it was a landmark Supreme Court decision that further entrenched and protected the institution of slavery. The decision reaffirmed the belief that black people, whether enslaved or free, were not considered citizens under the Constitution. This had a profound impact on the lives and rights of African Americans throughout the country, including in Georgia. Additionally, it heightened tensions between the North and the South and played a role in the lead-up to the American Civil War.