Through out the slavery period, slaves have escaped or physically harmed themselves and others to get to their freedom. Then enters Dred Scott, a former slave that fought for his freedom another way. In 1830, Scott arrived in St. Louis, Missouri. Approximately two years later, John Emerson became Dred's master. They traveled to various places, including Illinois and Wisconsin, where they prohibited slavery. Despite going along free territory, Dred Scott and his wife, Harriet(married in 1836) did not escape. In 1843, John Emerson passed away, leaving Irene Emerson, his wife, the owner of the Scott's family. When Dred proposed to purchase his family's freedom, Irene ignored him.
Dred Scott was led through anti-slavery states by his owner. Those states had rules that any enslaved person brought into the state became free. Because of that, Dred Scott sued to try to win freedom for his family and him. The Supreme Court ruled that a negro like him had no rights and that the federal government had no right to interfere with the institution of slavery. Slavery advocates were encouraged and made plans to expand slavery into the Western states. It created a large tension that led to the Civil War.
Credits:
"Dred Scott." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2013.
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