In the Dred Scott v. Sandford case, the Supreme Court made the decision that:
1. Slaves were considered property, not citizens.
2. As property, slaves did not have the right to sue in federal court.
This decision had significant implications as it reinforced the idea that slaves were not entitled to the rights and protections afforded to citizens under the Constitution. The ruling also stated that Congress did not have the power to prohibit slavery in the territories, further entrenching the institution of slavery in the United States.
The 14th Amendment, ratified after the Civil War, aimed to overturn the Dred Scott decision by granting citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including former slaves. It also provided equal protection under the law, seeking to address the injustices perpetuated by the Dred Scott ruling.
