1.4: Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857)

A Guided Journey through Key Documents, 1865-present
Table of Contents
1.4 Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857)
Historical Context
Guiding Questions
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Abstract

The Supreme Court is an appeals court and is the “highest court” in the country. The Court most often hears cases when one of the parties involved in the case is unhappy with the lower court’s ruling and appeals the case for review. The Court’s main job is to determine if the lower court’s ruling adheres to, or violates, the Constitution of the United States. Often, the decisions made by the Court are binding and set precedent for future rulings. That is why the Court’s conclusions have far reaching consequences for the nation and the people who live in it.

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