Question

In which Supreme Court case did the Court rule against the plaintiff on the grounds that African Americans were "beings of an inferior order" who did not qualify as U.S. citizens?

• A. Brown v. Board of Education
• B. Shaw v. Reno
• C. Dred Scott v. Sanford
• D. Wisconsin v. Mitchell
• E. Marbury v. Madison

Answer 1

The correct option is C Dred Scott v. Sanford

Dred Scott v. Sandford the Supreme Court ruled that Americans of African descent, whether free or slave, were not American citizens and could not sue in federal court. The Court also ruled that Congress lacked power to ban slavery in the U.S. territories. Finally, the Court declared that the rights of slave owners were constitutionally protected by the Fifth Amendment because slaves were categorized as property.