Question

what did the supreme court decide in the dred scott case? (choose 2) a slavery is unconstitutional. b african american residents are not citizens. c african american residents of free states are free. d the national government can prohibit the expansion of slavery in new territories. e outlawing slavery in a territory is unconstitutional.

Explanation:

To solve this, we recall the Dred Scott v. Sandford decision:

• The Court ruled African Americans (slaves or free) were not U.S. citizens (supporting option B).
• It also held that Congress could not outlaw slavery in territories, making such laws unconstitutional (supporting option E).
• Option A is wrong (Court didn’t rule slavery unconstitutional).
• Option C is wrong (Court said free African Americans in free states were still not citizens and not free in the sense of constitutional rights).
• Option D is wrong (Court struck down laws prohibiting slavery expansion in territories).

Answer:

B. African American residents are not citizens.
E. Outlawing slavery in a territory is unconstitutional.