Dred Scott Decision

Dred Scott was an enslaved man whose Missouri slaveholder had taken him to live in the free territory before returning to Missouri. Abolitionists helped Scott sue, to end his slavery. He said that the time he spent in the free territory meant he was free. Which then led the case to the Supreme Court. So on March 6, 1857, Chief Justice Roger B. Taney was in charge of the case. He ruled against Scott, saying that since he wasnt a citizen he couldnt sue in the courts. But instead of removing the issue of slavery from government, they decide upon the Dred Scott desicion which brought sectional conflict. This pleased the Democrats, but also outraged the Republicans. Southerners told the Northerners to to obey the decision if they wanted them to remain in the Union.