How did the Republican Party respond to the Dred Scott v. Sandford ruling?
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Correct answer: They argued the decision was a 'dictum' and was not legally binding
Republicans, including Abraham Lincoln, attacked the decision as a political conspiracy and argued that much of the opinion was 'obiter dictum' (incidental remarks) rather than binding law. They remained committed to stopping the expansion of slavery despite the Court's ruling.
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More Dred Scott v. Sandford questions
- What was the legal status of the 'Slave Power' conspiracy theory after the Dred Scott ruling?
- Justice Benjamin Curtis's dissent in the case was notable because he pointed out that:
- In the context of the Dred Scott case, what does the term 'obiter dictum' refer to?
- What was the 'Freeport Doctrine' and how did it relate to the Dred Scott case?
- Why did the Supreme Court take the Dred Scott case despite the Missouri Supreme Court already ruling against Scott?
- How did the Dred Scott decision affect the 1860 Presidential Election?