Introduction

The Supreme Court decision Dred Scott v. Sandford was issued on March 6, 1857. Delivered by Chief Justice Roger Taney, this opinion declared that African Americans were not citizens of the United States and could not sue in Federal courts. Furthermore, this decision declared that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional and that Congress did not have the authority to prohibit slavery in the territories. The Dred Scott decision was overturned by the 13th and 14th Amendments to the Constitution.

U.S. Reports: Dred Scott v. Sandford, 60 U.S. (19 How.) 393 (1856).

John H. Fitzgibbon, photographer. Eliza and Lizzie, children of Dred Scott Dred Scott ; His wife, Harriet. 1857. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

Dred Scott v. Sandford: Primary Documents in American History

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Introduction

John H. Fitzgibbon, photographer. Eliza and Lizzie, children of Dred Scott Dred Scott ; His wife, Harriet. 1857. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

Century Company, publisher. Dred Scott. Harriet, wife of Dred Scott. 1887. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

Now ready: the Dred Scott decision--Opinion of Chief-Justice Roger B. Taney .... 1859. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.