The Dred Scott Case

Paper Summary:

The paper relates that the Dred Scott case emerged during the fight between Northern and Southern states on the subject of slavery in the 1856 presidential elections. The paper describes the case and shows how in each court, including the Supreme Court, the ruling favored the owners. The paper discusses how unfortunately for Dred Scott, he could never become a free man. But, the paper explains, that his efforts did not go in vain as his case accelerated the debate on slavery and he became a symbol of struggle for freedom for the black people in the U.S.

From the Paper:

"Scott was born to slave parents and lived with his owners in St. Louis, Missouri. He was later sold to Dr. John Emerson around 1833 and since Emerson was a military officer, he would travel all over the country frequently. During his time with the new owner, Scott lived for long period of time in various cities such as Fort Armstrong, Illinois, Fort Snelling, Wisconsin Territory, Fort Jessup, Louisiana, and St. Louis. While some states had legalized slavery, Illinois was a free state and if Scott could prove his resident status, he could win his freedom. Scott decided to fight to become a free man and from 1846 till a decade later, his struggle continued and even reached the highest court of law in the United States."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Stampp, Kenneth M. America in 1857: A Nation on the Brink (New York: Oxford University Press, 1990)
• Don E. Fehrenbacher, The Dred Scott Case (New York: Oxford University Press, 1978)
• Stanley I. Kutler, The Dred Scott Decision: Law or Politics? (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1967)

More papers on The Dred Scott Case:

• Case Study # 126500 : "Dred Scott Case and Slavery"
• Analytical Essay # 45833 : "The Dred Scott Decision"
• Essay # 27254 : "Dred Scott vs. John F.A. Sandford"

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