What did the supreme court rule in that widened the nations division over slavery?

Answer 1

In the Dred Scott decision, the Court held that people who had been slaves, or who descended from slaves, were not protected by the Constitution and could never be US citizens. Without citizenship status, African-Americans were denied access to the courts, and couldn't sue for their freedom, even if they had a contractual agreement granting them free status.

The Supreme Court also ruled that Congress had no right to prohibit slavery, nullifying the Missouri Compromise.

The Court's decision in this case was overturned by the Thirteenth Amendment, prohibiting slavery.

Case Citation:

Dred Scott v. Sandford*, 60 US 393 (1857)

* The name Sanford is misspelled as Sandford in US Reports

For more information, see Related Questions, below.

Answer 2

In 1857, the US Supreme Court heard the case of Dredd Scott v. Sanford. Scott, a former slave, ( he and others thought so ) was deemed to remain a slave. The Court also ruled that Blacks could never become US citizens and also as non-citizens had no recourse to the US court system. Blacks were therefore not eligible to vote or hold public office. Nor were they eligible to sit on a jury. Therefore the Court endorsed slavery.

Answer 3

Uh...what? What case are you referring to?

Answer 4

The Dred Scott Decision would be the most likely answer.

Answer 5

the supreme court did not end slavery. Congress did that with the 13th ammendment.

Answer 6

The Dred Scott decision