How did the Supreme Court decision in Dred Scott V Stanford increase sectionalism
It’ll give full citizenship to African-Americans
The Supreme Court decision in Dred Scott v. Sanford significantly increased sectionalism by exacerbating tensions between the North and South over the issue of slavery. The decision, handed down in 1857, declared that African Americans, whether free or enslaved, were not and could never be citizens of the United States. This decision effectively denied African Americans equal rights and protections under the law and reinforced the institution of slavery.
The ruling outraged abolitionists and anti-slavery activists in the North, who saw it as a blatant endorsement of slavery and an affront to the principles of equality and justice. It further deepened the divide between the Northern and Southern states, as the North increasingly viewed the South as an enemy of freedom and human rights.
The decision also had far-reaching implications for the debate over the expansion of slavery into new territories, as it suggested that Congress had no power to regulate or prohibit slavery in these areas. This further heightened tensions between North and South, as both sides sought to expand their influence and power in the newly acquired territories.
Overall, the Dred Scott decision increased sectionalism by highlighting the deep-seated divisions between the North and South over the issue of slavery and citizenship rights for African Americans. It was a key factor in pushing the nation closer to the brink of civil war.