HISET Social Studies Practice

What was a major consequence of the Dred Scott ruling?

1. Strengthened abolitionist movements

2. Sowed division over slavery in the United States

3. Led directly to the Civil War

4. Legalized slavery in all states

The correct answer is: Sowed division over slavery in the United States

The Dred Scott ruling had significant implications for the political landscape and societal attitudes toward slavery in the United States. The Supreme Court decision stated that African Americans, whether free or enslaved, could not be American citizens and therefore had no right to sue in federal court. This ruling effectively denied the status of citizenship to an entire race and ruled that Congress did not have the authority to prohibit slavery in federal territories, which escalated tensions between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions. The decision intensified the already-existing divisions over the issue of slavery, leading to deeper conflicts between Northern and Southern states. It acted as a catalyst for debates around the spread of slavery, further polarizing public opinion and solidifying the boundary between free and slave states. This division was instrumental in shaping the political landscape of the period, contributing to the rise of the Republican Party and increasing support for abolitionist movements, although it did not directly strengthen them. The ruling played a crucial role in the events that ultimately culminated in the Civil War, but it was primarily the exacerbation of existing divisions that was a major consequence. Therefore, the assertion that the ruling sowed division over slavery reflects the profound impact it had on American society and politics at the time.