What was the key issue in the Dred Scott v. Sandford case?

The key issue in the Dred Scott v. Sandford case revolved around the legality of slavery in the territories, which was of immense significance in the context of pre-Civil War America. The Supreme Court ruled that Dred Scott, an enslaved African American who had lived in both free and slave territories, was not a U.S. citizen and therefore had no right to sue in federal court. Furthermore, the Court determined that Congress lacked the authority to prohibit slavery in the territories, effectively invalidating the Missouri Compromise of 1820.

This ruling heightened tensions between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions, as it asserted that slave owners could take their slaves into any territory without fear of their enslaved individuals being considered free. Ultimately, the decision not only denied Scott his freedom but also escalated the national debate over slavery, contributing to the events leading up to the Civil War. The ramifications of this case were profound, as it denied legal protections to enslaved people and challenged the status of legislating slavery in the United States.