LAD/Blog #19: The Dred Scott Decision


The Dred Scott V Sanford took place in 1857 in St. Louis' Old Courthouse. He spent many years with his master, John Emerson, moving around the country, even free states set by the Missouri Compromise in 1820. Once John Emerson died, Scott and his family were hired out to other families by Emerson' wife. Scott then pursued a suit against Mrs. Emerson demanding their freedom. Since they had been in free states and the Missouri Doctrine states "once free, always free" Scott felt that they should be free. The bigger issue of the topic was the consideration of property rights. Chief Justice Rodger Brooke Taney resided over the case and came to possibly the worst Supreme Court decision. He admitted that African Americans could be citizens of the state but not national citizens and for that reason could not sue. He then declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional and thus it collapsed. The decision rescinded Scott's ability and caused the collapse of the Missouri Compromise.

A similar poor decision by the Supreme Court was United States V E.C. Knight. The decision by the Supreme Court limited the power of the government and made monopolies less susceptible to the Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890. The act was meant to limit monopolies but the decision ruined this. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

LAD/Blog #28: Keating-Owen Child Labor Act

Image
    The Keating-Owen Child Labor Act was approved on September 1st, 1916 and addressed the issues of child labor in the United States. The act called for producers, manufacturers, and dealers not to ship or deliver and goods that had been made in factories that in the past thirty days had children under the age of sixteen working in it. If there were children under 14 they were also instructed not to. It also says to not allow the distribution of materials if there are children 14-16 working and worked log hours . Inspectors would be assigned to check places to make sure the act is being followed. The checks are random and the inspector has full access to the facility. Violations or fines can result in prisoner. Ultimately it cracked down on child labor and gave these children better, safer lives. Similarities can be drawn between this and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory incident. The conditions caused the death of many women ...
Read more

LAD/Blog #7: Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality

Image
The Proclamation of Neutrality written in 1793 by George Washington. It addressed the foreign policy of the United States. It stated that the United States would take a stance of neutrality on conflict with foreign powers like France and Britain. It also warned citizens to not get involved in these conflicts and by doing so they render themselves liable for punishment for aiding a power. Its purpose was to convey the United States position of neutrality. The United States policy of neutrality is very similar to Switzerland. As the United States were neutral in conflicts with world powers Switzerland were neutral in World War I and World War II.
Read more

LAD/Blog #34: FDR's First Inaugural

Image
      FDR delivered his first inaugural address on March 4th, 1933. This would be the first of four total addresses. Possibly FDR's most famous quote was delivered in this address, "...the only thing we have to fear is fear itself...". This quote is used constantly and remains true to present day. FDR assures the people that his leadership can lead them out of these hard times. He also makes a call for action from all, "hand in hand", unified.  . For there must be more than a change in ethics. He also addresses the ways he will attack these problems. He intends to set up programs to fix the issues at hand. World War II would ultimately be the factor that got us out of the Great Depression. While FDR's programs did help the economy, the wartime production of WWII was the true reason we were able to get out of the Great Depression.
Read more