The Dred Scott Case: A Slave's Case for Freedom and Citizenship

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In 1820, the Missouri Compromise was enacted between the anti-slavery and pro-slavery regions in the United States Congress. Slavery was prohibited in the former Louisiana Territory north of the parallel 36°30′ north, except within the boundaries of the proposed state of Missouri (Missouri Compromise). Many slaves tried to escape from their plantation to a state in the free territory it was risky because if they were caught, the fugitive slave and anyone who aided his escape were scourged. (Fugitive Slave)

"Dred Scott, an African American man, was born in Virginia in the 1800s."Scott was sold to Peter Blow a Virginia farmer. Blow, together with his wife Elizabeth, his family and his slaves, moved to a cotton plantation near Alabama. They eventually settled in St. Louis. In 1831, Elizabeth Blow died (Herda 8-9). Her husband died a year later. Blow's fortune was inherited by his eleven children. Scott referred to the Blow children as "them boys" with whom he had been "raised". "From this, it seems likely that Scott had not only been a slave, but also a good friend if the Blow family, especially the third son, Taylor, who would remain a lifelong supporter of Scott (10-11).

In 1833, Scott was sold to Dr. John Emerson, a St. Lois physician. Dr. Emerson had moved to St. Lois years earlier. He became friends with influential men such as Dr. William Carr Lane, the first Mayer of St. Lois, and Missouri congressmen. He seemed to be better at making powerful friends than doing his job practicing medicines. In 1833, Emerson became the assistant surgeon in the U.S. Army, a position he only acquired due to his prominent connections. A month later, Emerson received new order and transferred to Fort Armstrong, Illinois, taking Scott along w...

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...(78). All of a sudden, because of the decision of the three judges, the six year battle to gain the freedom of Scott, his wife and daughters ended, and their hopes were dashed(79).

Works Cited

Cromwell, Sharon. A Slave's Case for Freedom and Citizenship. Minnesota: Compass Point Books, 2009.googlebookds

“Fugitive Slave.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 20 January, 2014.Web. 25 January, 2014.

Herda, D.J. The Dred Scott Case: Slavery and Citizenship. New Jersey: Enslow Publishers Inc., 1994.Print

McNeese, Tim. Dred Scott v. Sandford: The pursuit of Freedom. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 2007.Print.

Missouri Compromise.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 22 January, 2014.Web.25 January, 2014.

Potter, David M. The Impending Crisis 18481861.New York: Harper &Row, Publishers, 1963.Print.

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