LAD #18: Dred Scott Supreme Court Case

In the appealed case of Dred Scott vs. Sanford, the Supreme Court decision brought forth by eighty-year old Chief Justice Roger B. Taney agreed with the side of Sanford. He agreed that Scott, who was a slave, should not be allowed rights because he was not a citizen due to the fact that his parents emigrated to the United States. Taney, looking at the Constitution, made this decision on the fact that it made no clear separation between slaves and other forms of property and people. Scott was considered propety and Sanford owned him and had right over him making this case an easy decision. He was not a citizen he was property and property can not sue. Taney then concluded that the compromise was unconstitutional and this would lead to further tensions and problems as slaves would begin to demand their rights even more.