Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)

1) Link to the Actual Opinion
Read the U.S. Reports opinion (PDF)

2) Summary of the Opinion
Dred Scott, an enslaved man, sued for freedom after living in free territories. The Supreme Court ruled that African Americans, whether enslaved or free, were not citizens under the Constitution and therefore had no standing to sue. The Court also struck down the Missouri Compromise as unconstitutional, claiming Congress lacked authority to prohibit slavery in the territories.