3.2.6 Practice:Overturning a Supreme Court Decision Practice ANSWERS AND PDF

1. Briefly describe the background of Dred Scott v. Sandford. (1 point)

Dred Scott lived in a free state and territory did not entitle him to his freedom. The
decision argued that as a slave Scott was not a citizen and could not sue in a federal
court. The majority opinion stated that Congress had no power to exclude slavery from
the territories and that African Americans could never become U.S. citizens.

2. What decision did the Supreme Court reach in Dred Scott v. Sandford? (1 point)

2. What decision did the Supreme Court reach in Dred Scott v. Sandford? (1 point)
The Supreme Court reached an unconstitutional decision in which Dred Scott was denied his
freedom even though he lived in a free territory. The Supreme Court ruled that Americans
of African descent, whether free or slave, were not American citizens and could not sue
in federal court. The Court also ruled that Congress lacked the power to ban slavery in
the U.S. territories.