Analyzing a Seminal US Document
Quiz Active
TIME REMAINING
DODABODU 20
59:46
Which statement best serves as a counterclaim to the
claim in this passage?
Read the passage from the opinion of the court in Dred
Scott v. Sandford, written by Justice Taney.
The question before us is, whether the class of persons
described in the plea in abatement compose a portion of
this people, and are constituent members of this
sovereignty? We think they are not, and that they are not
included, and were not intended to be included, under the
word "citizens" in the Constitution, and can therefore claim
none of the rights and privileges which that instrument
provides for and secures to citizens of the United States.
On the contrary, they were at that time considered as a
subordinate and inferior class of beings, who had been
subjugated by the dominant race, and, whether
emancipated or not, yet remained subject to their authority,
and had no rights or privileges but such as those who held
the power and the Government might choose to grant
them
Taney fails to provide any actual evidence for his
statements that African Americans were universally
considered inferior.
Taney cannot use states' rights to claim that the plaintiff
is not a citizen, because citizenship is federal.
Taney's argument that emancipated people were still
controlled by whites is false because they were free.
Taney's argument that African Americans were not
citizens is false because their ancestors were forced to
come here.
Mark this and return
Save and Exit
Next
Submit