Dred Scott v. Sanford
A. Introduction:
1. Identify the name of the case and when it was heard before SCOTUS.
2. Identify the parties involved in the case.
3. Briefly describe the focus of the case.
B. Describe the case itself: What was the controversy in the case?
C. How did the case move through the courts before reaching SCOTUS?
1. What court had original jurisdiction in the case?
2. How had previous courts ruled in the case?
D. What did the SCOTUS rule in the case?
1. What was the argument of the majority opinion?
2. What was the argument of the minority opinion?
E. What was the reasoning used by the SCOTUS to reach its decision? How did it reach its decision?
E. Conclusion: How does the Court’s ruling in the case affect Americans today?
1. Has the Court’s ruling in the case affected other rulings in other cases?
2. Has the Court’s ruling affected the interpretation and enforcement of any particular laws, and how those laws are enforced?
3. If applicable: Has the Court’s ruling in this case affected you, or someone you know, personally?
Sample Answer
Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) was a landmark case taken before the supreme court of USA for the court to apply its judicial mind on the question of human rights with regard to Americans of African origin, whether free or slaves. Among other things, the court argued that black Americans were not Americans in the strict sense of the word and therefore lacked the needed ‘locus standi’
