The U.S. Supreme Court hands down its decision on Sanford v. Dred Scott, a case that intensified national divisions over the issue of slavery. In 1834, Dred Scott, a slave, had been taken to Illinois, a free state, and then Wisconsin territory, where the Missouri Compromise of 1820 prohibited slavery
The most important issue of the case was Dred Scott's status: was he a slave or was he a free man? Dred Scott had been born into slavery, but after moving with his master to Wisconsin Territory, where slavery was not permitted, he effectively had the status of a free man and was thus able to get married. However, Scott did not petition for his freedom, and remained with his master. As his master moved around a lot from place to place, between slave state and free, Scott found himself in the absurd position of being free in one state, but a slave in another. It was important, then, for Scott to establish his precise legal status once and for all.
