What was a key holding of the Dred Scott decision?

What was a key holding of the Dred Scott decision?

• A. Slavery was illegal in all territories
• B. The Supreme Court declared abolitionists treasonous
• C. It ruled that African Americans could not be citizens and that Congress could not ban slavery in new territories
• D. It freed enslaved people in northern territories

Answer: (C)

The main idea being tested is what the Supreme Court ruled about who could be a citizen and how slavery could be regulated in new territories. In the Dred Scott decision, the Court held that African Americans, whether enslaved or free, could not be citizens and therefore had no right to sue in federal courts. It also ruled that Congress did not have the authority to ban slavery in new territories, effectively nullifying restrictions like the Missouri Compromise. That combination means slavery could be present in the territories and federal laws could not exclude it there. So this choice is the best answer because it captures both key points: lack of citizenship for African Americans in the eyes of the federal courts, and the inability of Congress to prohibit slavery in new territories. The other options don’t fit: the decision did not declare abolitionists treasonous, did not end slavery everywhere, and did not free enslaved people in northern territories.

The main idea being tested is what the Supreme Court ruled about who could be a citizen and how slavery could be regulated in new territories. In the Dred Scott decision, the Court held that African Americans, whether enslaved or free, could not be citizens and therefore had no right to sue in federal courts. It also ruled that Congress did not have the authority to ban slavery in new territories, effectively nullifying restrictions like the Missouri Compromise. That combination means slavery could be present in the territories and federal laws could not exclude it there.

So this choice is the best answer because it captures both key points: lack of citizenship for African Americans in the eyes of the federal courts, and the inability of Congress to prohibit slavery in new territories. The other options don’t fit: the decision did not declare abolitionists treasonous, did not end slavery everywhere, and did not free enslaved people in northern territories.