LAD #18: Dred Scott Decision

In the Dred Scott vs. Sanford case, originally the court ruled against Scott. Chief Justice Taney decided that Scott was not a citizen because he was only the child of people that had migrated to the United States. Scott believed that he should have the same rights as anyone else, but Scott was categorized as property rather than a citizen. The constitution ruled that Taney had the right to keep Scott as property because Taney was a white landholder. Taney stated that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional because Scott was living in Illinois as property of Taney, and Scott didn't have the privilege to sue.