Dred Scott Decision (EOTO)

Dred Scott, 1795-1858, was a slave born in Southampton, Virginia. In 1846 Scott tried to buy his and his family's freedom from their owner but the owner refused despite the fact that they were living in states that had not allowed for slavery. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Scott was not a citizen and therefore could not sue in the first place. The Dred Scott Decision was a victory for slave states and began mistrust with the supreme court. This decision led to the first republican president, Abraham Lincoln, being elected.