Dredd Scott Essay, Research Paper
Dredd Scott
America in 1857 was a nation on the brink. Relationship between the North and
South had been strained for decades and was only getting worse. All tension had to do
with the issues of slavery. In 1848 the U.S. had acquired new lands in the Mexican
cession, and the debate was on. The question was whether or not the South should be
allowed to spread slavery into the new states. This debate turned violent many times. The
South threatened to secede from the Union if a candidate from the Republican party, who
was antislavery, won. Amidst all of the tension would emerge a slave named Dredd Scott.
Dredd Scott was a slave to Dr. John Emerson in St.Louis, Missouri a slave state.
Scott spent most of his time in Illinois, a free state, because his owner Dr. Emerson was an
Army doctor and he stayed in Fort Armstrong in Illinois. Living in a free state had
constituted freedom for previous slaves so Scott felt that he too deserved his freedom and
he brought his first case to court on April 6, 1846, at this time he had moved back to
Missouri and was the property of Dr. Emerson’s wife. Scott filed a declaration on April 6,
1846,which stated that Mrs. Emerson had “beat, bruised and ill treated him” before
imprisoning him for twelve hours. He declared that he was to be free on the basis that he
had lived of Fort Armstrong and Fort Snelling which were both located in free states.
Scott felt that he had a strong case as the Supreme Court of Missouri had freed slaves
previous to him who had also traveled with their masters to free states. Scott lost the first
case and brought the case up again in 1850 to the Supreme Court of Missouri, the same
court which had freed slaves previous on the same terms. The difference now was that
two of the three justices serving on the court were pro-slavery whereas in cases prior to
Scott vs. Emerson the Justices had a more apathetic view of slavery and saw it as a
neccesary evil. The court ruled against Scott in 1852 and once again his attempt at
freedom had failed. His next step was to take his case into the federal judicial system as he
brought it to the U.S. Circuit Court for the District of Missouri.
The Scott case would be very different when entered into the federal court
however. First Scott had a new owner who was John F.A. Sanford, the brother of Mrs.
Emerson. Once again Scotts attempt failed based on Sanford’s argument that Scott had
regained his slave status when he returned to Missouri and therefor was a slave and had no
right to seek freedom. This was not Scott’s final attempt at freedom however. He decided
to take his case to the highest court in the nation.
Before proceeding to the Supreme Court with his case Dredd Scott found a lawyer
to represent his cause. The lawyer that took his case was a man named, Montgomery
Blair, a fellow Missourian. Blair was a highly respected lawyer in Washington, and was an
anti-slavery supporter. He also agreed to take Scott’s defense at no charge. The case had a
huge political impact at this time and was delayed one year in order to avoid debates about
the controversial topic in the election of 1856.
Scott’s case had not attracted much attention until it reached the Supreme Court.
The Scott case renewed debate over slavery issues and also the debate over whether
Congress had the power to regulate slavery. Both the republican and Democratic parties
agreed that the slavery issue should rest in the arms of the Supreme Court.
When the Supreme Court met for the first time on the case on February 14, 1857,
it favored the previous courts decision that ruled in favor of Mr. Sanford. Yet this case
opened other arguments such as Negro citizenship and the constitutionality of the
Missouri Compromise. When these issues were heard in court the court elected Chief
Justice Roger B. Taney to represent the majority decision in the court. The court battle
lasted nearly a month and on March 6, 1857, the court had reached a decision.
The first decision addressed by Roger Taney was whether or not Scott even had a
right to bring this case to court. Taney stated that, one of the privileges reserved for
citizens of the United States was the privilege of suing in a court of the United States.
Taney stated that Negroes had no right to bring suit in a U.S. federal court as they were
not citizens and had no right as citizens. Therefor Scott did not have the privilege of even
suing in the court. The other issue addressed was the constitutionality of the Missouri
Compromise. The compromise stated that no state above the 36th parallel would be a
slave state and slaves residing in them would be free. Taney ruled that the Missouri
Compromise was unconstitutional based on his view that slaves were not people but
property and the Missouri Compromise deprived slaveholders from property which was
unconstitutional. Taney also ruled that Scott’s argument that he lived in a free state was
irrelevant because when he brought his case to court he made his residence in Missouri
which was a slave state. The case was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction and sent back to
the lower court with instructions for the lower court to dismiss the case also. This upheld
the Missouri Supreme Courts decision ruling in favor of Sanford.
The Dredd Scott case can be seen as a failure for Scott himself but it brought
about many political debates about slavery. The Dredd Scott case in my opinion had the
larger impact on American politics and society than did any other slave related issue.
Northerners became outraged at the decisions by the court as well as the Republicans.
Southerners looked at the Republicans in disregard as they supported the antislavery issue.
The Dredd Scott case inspired many abolitionist feelings amongst Americans. Northerners
feared that slavery would spread to their territory and the Southerners grew angry with
anti-slavery followers in the North. Tension between the North and South grew day by
day. Four years after the decision in the Scott vs. Sanford case was read by Taney, half of
the Union seceded and the country began a civil war.
Although Dredd Scott did not see the direct effect of his actions he alone changed
our country by simply taking a stand. Being in the severe minority it is a huge victory for
Scott even though he did not win any of his cases or his freedom but he did win the hearts
of abolitionists who later would support his cause and eventually fight for the freedom of
all blacks. Dredd Scott was a great man in American history who may not be seen as a
large player in the eventual victory by the North. If it wasn’t for Dredd Scott the
Northerners may have never seen the potential for slavery to spread and when they least
expected slavery would consume them also. Dredd Scott brought forth the awareness
about slavery that leads to the society of today where people are treated as
31d
Другие работы по теме:
Slavery Essay Research Paper The issue of
Slavery Essay, Research Paper The issue of slavery has been often touched upon in the course of history. Many political leaders and property owners tended to see slavery as an element that supported the economy. These people believed that if slavery and the slave trade were to be abolished, they would lose their colonies, commerce would collapse and as a result the agriculture and the arts would decline.
Dredd Scott Essay Research Paper The Dredd
Dredd Scott Essay, Research Paper The Dredd Scott case involved a landmark decision in the history of the Supreme Court, in the history ofthe United States the decision in this case was one of the most damaging statements in the history of theSupreme Court, involving the citizenship of a black person in the United States, and theconstitutionality of the Missouri Compromise in 1820.
In 1969 The Plane Came Back Essay
, Research Paper In Kathryn L. Scott?s paper ?In 1969 The Plane Came Back? she addresses the issue of the affect of the Vietnam war on those who served in it.
Physician Assisted Suicide Essay Research Paper Scott
Physician Assisted Suicide Essay, Research Paper Scott DeBoer DeBoer 1 9-26-2001 Physician Assisted Suicide How could someone wake up every day sick, in constant pain and feeling horrible every minute of existence? This is not a good way to live from anybodies point of view. The time may come when suffering, just is not worth living.
The Eyes Of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg In
The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald Essay, Research Paper In the novel The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, there is an important theme in the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg. These eyes watch over the events and characters of the novel like the eyes of God. Many things happen in front of the eyes of Dr. Eckleburg, like the vehicular manslaughter of Myrtle.
Gatsby Essay Essay Research Paper In the
Gatsby Essay Essay, Research Paper In the book, The Great Gatsby, Francis Scott Fitzgerald?s continuous use of the Doctor T.J. Eckleburg sign symbolizes an inept God. He also shows us that even though God is watching; bad things still happen. The Great Gatsby showed a corrupt society under God?s eyes. When Nick followed Tom, to meet Tom?s mistress, the only thing that Nick really noticed was the sign starring at him as shown in this quotation. “I followed him over a low whitewashed railroad fence, and we walked back a hundred yards along the road under Doctor Eckleburg?s persistent stare.” (24) Nick felt a little uneasy with this sign starring at them.
The Conflict Of Race In Ivanhoe Essay
, Research Paper The Conflict of Race in IvanhoeSir Walter Scott in his novel Ivanhoe uses race as his central conflict. The races are those of the conquered Saxons and their ruling lords, the Normans. Scott introduces the conflict by focusing on a dialogue between two men of the lowest class, Saxon thralls.
John Brown Essay Research Paper John Brown
John Brown Essay, Research Paper John Brown’s raid on the federal armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, In October 1859, involved only a handful of abolitionists, freed no slaves, and was over in two days. Although many
Minnie Bibble Essay Research Paper Minnie BibbleIn
Minnie Bibble Essay, Research Paper Minnie Bibble In many short stories authors develop the characters by using different ways of characterization. These methods may include both direct and or indirect characterization.In the short story “He Thinks He’s Wonderful,” F. Scott Fitzgerald develops Minnie Bibble in both of these ways.
Dred Scott Case Essay Research Paper The
Dred Scott Case Essay, Research Paper The Dred Scott case is one of the most significant cases in American history. Dred Scott was a former slave of a master named, Peter Blow. When Mr. Blow became financially in trouble he sold Dred Scott to Dr. John Emerson who was a physician. The military career of Dr. Emerson he traveled to many places including Illinois which at the time it was prohibited to own a slave which was stated in the Missouri Compromise of 1820.
Andrew Carnegie Essay Research Paper Carnegie Andrew
Andrew Carnegie Essay, Research Paper Carnegie, Andrew (1835-1919), American industrialist and philanthropist, who, at the age of 33, when he had an annual income of $50,000, said, Beyond this never earn, make no effort to increase fortune, but spend the surplus each year for benevolent purposes.
Son Of Sam And Dred Scott Cases
Essay, Research Paper The Son of Sam trial occurred in New York, New York on May 8, 1978. David R. Berkowitz was the Defendant, he was on trial because he was a mass
Untitled Essay Research Paper All Men Created
Untitled Essay, Research Paper All Men Created Equal America has undergone incredible hardships as a nation. No issue has had more impact on the development of the American definition of freedom than
Movie The Last Emperor Essay Research Paper
Movie: The Last Emperor On 1908 in Peking The emperor I-Sin-Ger-Oh-Who-Eee, son of prince Dredd, at the age of two, was crowned because emperorist Dowager was dieing. He was chosen
Governmental Issues Essay Research Paper AUTHOR Scott
Governmental Issues Essay, Research Paper AUTHOR: Scott of the Insurgency Culture Collective (United States) NOTE: Please note the ‘Bold’ marks. ‘The Anarchist Response to Crime’ [BOLD]“In The Descent of Man, [Charles Darwin] gave some powerful pages to illustrate its proper, wide sense. He pointed out how, in numberless animal societies, the struggle between separate individuals for the means of existence disappears, how struggle is replaced by co-operation, and how that substitution results in the development of intellectual and moral faculties which secure to the species the best conditions for survival.
White Fang Essay Research Paper Two outdoorsmen
White Fang Essay, Research Paper Two outdoorsmen are out in the wild of the north. They are on a mission to deliver the body and coffin of a famous person. Their dogs disappear as they are entised by a she-wolf and eaten by the rest of the pack. They only have
Scott Joplin Essay Research Paper CHOW BENJAMIN
Scott Joplin Essay, Research Paper CHOW, BENJAMIN F EXTRA CREDIT In the late 1890?s ; a craze for a new kind of music called ragtime swept the country off it?s feet. Instant popularity of ragtime increased before the turn of the century.
Nick Carraway Essay Research Paper Nick Carraways
Nick Carraway Essay, Research Paper Nick Carraway?s view on Gatsby In the book The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitgerald, the narrator is Nick Carraway. We trust the narrator. We take on his perspective. He becomes our eyes
The Lady Of The Lake By Sir
Walter Scott (1771 – 1832) Essay, Research Paper This absorbing tale, opening with an account of a stag hunt in the Highlands, is typical of Scott. He invented the historical
Ivanhoe Essay Research Paper The title of
Ivanhoe Essay, Research Paper The title of my book is Ivanhoe, it was written by Sir Walter Scott. Scott was Scottish born author who died in 1832. He was on of the formost authors of works about chivalry.
Ivanhoe By Walter Scott Essay Research Paper
While reading the book Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott I have come to the conclusion that Scott criticizes the church a lot. By some of the quotes by various characters show that he has some type of grudge towards the church. In the
Sir Walter Scott Essay Research Paper Sir
Sir Walter Scott Essay, Research Paper Sir Walter Scott Scottish Novelist 1771 – 1832 Sir Walter Scott was born on August 15, 1771 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Scott created and popularized historical novels in a series called the Waverley Novels. In his novels Scott arranged the plots and characters so the reader enters into the lives of both great and ordinary people caught up in violent, dramatic changes in history.
The Courtship Of Miles Standish By Henry
Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) Essay, Research Paper Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was brought up as a New England aristocrat steeped in European culture. His works,
Gladiator Essay Research Paper The Roman Army
Gladiator Essay, Research Paper The Roman Army was a masterpiece in itself. There was no other army like it, and was impenentrable. This was probably because of the extreme patriotism and pride in battling for Rome, and maintaining their superiority. Gladiator, “RomanArmy”, and The History of the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire all portray this patriotism in many aspects.
Gatsby Essay Research Paper Dreams and goals
Gatsby Essay, Research Paper Dreams and goals can never be fulfilled if they are never dreamt, and sometimes even those that are imagined and toiled for are lost along the way. In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses symbolism to clarify Jay Gatsby’s detachment with the American Dream. Gatsby is convinced that his path to happiness is lined with riches and popularity, although he will never find contentment by changing to fit the mold.
Atticus Essay Research Paper Atticus Atticus a
Atticus Essay, Research Paper Atticus Atticus, a deeply affecting novel by Ron Hansen, opens in winter on the high plains of Colorado to the tropics of Mexico, as well as from the realm of whodunit detective mystery to the larger realm of the Mystery, which has its own heartbreaking, consoling, and redemptive logic.
A Difficult Decision Essay Research Paper Steve
A Difficult Decision Essay, Research Paper Steve Bayne 1/31/00 English IV Mr. Larson Persuasive Essay A Difficult Decision Throughout each of our lives, we go through many trials. Life seems like a big smack in the face at times. Anyone can relate to this, because no one has had a perfect life, a life without blemish.
Paper Towels On Trial Essay Research Paper
Paper Towels On Trial Have you ever wondered what the best brand of paper towels is? Or what “the best” actually means? Well, our group adventured out to find “the best” paper towel! We tested seven different brands of paper towels. We did 3 different controlled experiments to collect data. The data will help to determine the best paper towel out of the seven brands we tested.
Critical Review Of Ivanhoe By The Jackal
Essay, Research Paper Review of Ivanhoe By Sir Walter Scott The Jackal 2/22/99 Ivanhoe is an adventure story set in 12th century England during the Holy Crusades of “Richard the Lion-Hearted” (King of England). This novel is one of great suspense and action, which elicits out great emotion such as valor and love.
The Report Essay Research Paper Each night
The Report Essay, Research Paper Each night a female half wolf half dog would seduce a dog away and allow the pack to kill him. This killing of the dogs lasted until there were 3 dogs remaining. One man tried to save a 4th dog that was being killed by the wolves and ended up getting killed also. From then on the wolves closed in on the camp of the remaining man and 2 dogs.
Dred Scott Decision Essay Research Paper The
Dred Scott Decision Essay, Research Paper The Dred Scott decision of 1865 had many implications on the status of free blacks in the United States, along with the concept of popular sovereignty, and the future of slavery in America.
Accounting Project Essay Research Paper Accounting ProjectBAC
Accounting Project Essay, Research Paper Accounting Project BAC 3AA Profile of an Accounting Department My interview with the accountant of Robin Hood Multifoods Inc. was one of the greatest interviews I have ever experienced. The person whom I interviewed was