Who was primarily affected by the Dred Scott decision?

The Dred Scott decision primarily affected enslaved individuals, as it was a landmark Supreme Court case that directly dealt with the status of slavery in the United States. In 1857, the Supreme Court ruled that Dred Scott, an enslaved man who had lived in free territories, was not a U.S. citizen and therefore had no right to sue for his freedom. Furthermore, the Court declared that the federal government had no authority to regulate slavery in the territories, effectively allowing the expansion of slavery into new areas.

This ruling had profound implications for enslaved individuals by denying them legal recognition and reinforcing the institution of slavery. It entrenched the belief that African Americans, whether enslaved or free, were considered inferior and lacked basic rights. The case fueled tensions between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions and became a pivotal moment leading up to the Civil War, further marginalizing enslaved people in the eyes of the law and society.