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The Dred Scott Case: The American Legal System

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The Dred Scott Case

Throughout American history, there have been numerous blunders within our legal system.

Perhaps the most intriguing failure within our American legal system was the Dred Scott Case.

The Dred Scott Case is perhaps the most infamous case in American history as Dred Scott, a

slave who had been free for a rather long period of time, sued the Missouri court system and

eventually the U.S. Supreme Court for his freedom and was denied. Numerous excellent

arguments were made by the legal team of Dred Scott, however, perhaps the most intriguing that

Americans truly take for granted was the debate as to whether being free for an extended period

of time entitles someone to freedom for the rest of their life. This case became so intense that …show more content…
Constitution.

Before making any assumptions about the case, one must first understand the whole case and perhaps even the smallest details. The case occurred in period of time leading up to the civil

war in which tensions between abolitionists and pro-slavery supporters were very high and most

Americans were divided on the issue of slavery. Dred Scott was born as a slave in Virginia and

was later sold John Emerson of Missouri. From there, Emerson and Scott traveled throughout the

free states of Illinois, Wisconsin, and even the Minnesota territory before returning to the slave

state of Missouri. While in the free states and territories, Scott met his wife, was married, and

even had a child who was born in free territory. John Emerson died in 1843 and his wife took

control of all of his belongings. Dred Scott initially attempted to purchase his freedom,

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