Deaton US HistoryDeaton US History

What Rights do you have as a citizen?

Citizen Rights

Born as a Slave in Virginia Bought by John Emerson and Army surgeon of

Missouri - _______________ state. Scott was taken to military bases in free states

like Illinois. In fact he was allowed to marry (Harriet)

When they came back to Missouri John died and Scott was turned over to Eliza Emerson.

Background

Scott attempted to purchase his freedom from

Eliza. She refused. He sued and won in 1846, but Eliza appealed

to a higher court and she won in 1848. She moves to Massachusetts and transfers the

representation in the case to her brother John Sanford.

In 1857 the case reaches the Supreme Court.

The Case

It was led by Robert Taney who replaced John

Marshal. A southerner who emancipated his own slaves

and gave them pensions when they were too old to work.

Led the judges to a very large decision that includes overturning law.

The Supreme Court

Free slaves were not considered citizens of the U.S.

and slaves were the property of their owners. Therefore: Even free AA could not sue in Federal Court because

they were not citizens. Slaves brought into a state were the property of their

owners, so had no rights as citizens. The Missouri Compromise was determined to be

unconstitutional since slaves were property. This caused fear to the anti-slavery north b/c they

thought this would lead to open slavery in the Western Territories.

The Decision

What ?’s do you have?

What are your thoughts about the case? One paragraph DOK 3

Questions and Thoughts