What was the impact of Dred Scott v Sanford?

The decision in Dred Scott v. Sanford had profound implications on the legal status of enslaved individuals and the power of the federal government regarding slavery. In this landmark case, the Supreme Court ruled that Dred Scott, an enslaved person who had sued for his freedom, was not a citizen of the United States and therefore lacked the standing to bring a lawsuit in federal court. The court concluded that enslaved individuals were considered property rather than citizens, which reinforced the institution of slavery and denied basic rights to a significant population.

This ruling had far-reaching effects, as it effectively denied citizenship to all enslaved individuals and challenged any legal claims for freedom that they might present in court. The decision further exacerbated tensions between free and slave states, contributing to the sectional conflict that eventually led to the Civil War. Thus, the court's designation of Scott as property, not a citizen, was pivotal in shaping the legal landscape surrounding slavery and citizenship in the United States.