U6 Compromise
Implications/Legacy of the Dred Scott decision 🎯Please view: Legacy (1:36)
Why is the decision “viewed as one of the worst the Court ever made” by critics.
The Dred Scott decision is viewed as one of the worst decisions ever made by the Court primarily due to its implications and legacy.
Firstly, the decision had severe consequences for African Americans and their rights. The Court ruled that African Americans, whether slave or free, could not be U.S. citizens and therefore had no standing to sue in federal courts. This effectively denied them access to the justice system and left them vulnerable to injustice and abuse.
Furthermore, the decision also perpetuated the notion that slavery was a constitutional right. The Court held that the Missouri Compromise, which had prohibited slavery in certain territories, was unconstitutional. This decision effectively opened up all territories, including those that had previously banned slavery, to the institution of slavery.
Moreover, the Dred Scott decision exacerbated tensions between the North and the South. It further polarized the nation along sectional lines and heightened the debate over the expansion of slavery, ultimately contributing to the outbreak of the Civil War.
In summary, the Dred Scott decision is viewed as one of the worst decisions made by the Court due to its denial of rights to African Americans, its affirmation of the constitutional protection of slavery, and its role in worsening sectional tensions.