In the Dred Scott decision, what did the Court say about citizenship status of former slaves?

• A. They were not U.S. citizens
• B. They were citizens with restrictions
• C. They could become citizens through emancipation
• D. They had rights as naturalized citizens

Answer: (A)

The question tests who the Constitution treated as a citizen. In the Dred Scott decision, the Court held that people of African descent, whether enslaved or free, were not citizens of the United States. Because they were not citizens, they had no rights the white majority was bound to respect, including the right to sue in federal courts. Emancipation or residence in a free territory did not change that legal status in the eyes of the Court. So the form of citizenship the case discussed did not apply to former slaves. This ruling stood until the 14th Amendment later guaranteed citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including former slaves.