Which Supreme Court case dealt with the issue of an enslaved person's freedom after living in free territory?

Study for the FGCU Civic Literacy Exam. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations, to prepare confidently. Get ready for your exam!

The case that addressed the issue of an enslaved person's freedom after living in free territory is Dred Scott v. Sandford. This landmark Supreme Court decision revolved around Dred Scott, an enslaved African American man who had been taken by his owner to live in free states and territories. Scott argued that his extended residence in these areas entitled him to emancipation.

The Supreme Court ruled that Scott was not a U.S. citizen and therefore had no right to sue in federal court. Additionally, the Court asserted that the federal government had no authority to regulate slavery in the territories, effectively nullifying the Missouri Compromise, which had attempted to limit the spread of slavery. This ruling had immense implications on the status of enslaved individuals and highlighted the tensions between free and slave states leading up to the Civil War. The decision is often seen as a pivotal moment in American history that illustrated the deep divisions over slavery in the country.

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