In Dred Scott v. Sanford, which statement is true?

• A. Black Americans could be citizens
• B. The federal government can ban slavery in territories
• C. Congress cannot ban slavery in territories
• D. Slavery is illegal in all territories

Answer: (C)

The main concept here is how the Dred Scott decision treated the power to regulate slavery in new territories. The ruling stated that Congress cannot ban slavery in the territories, because enslaved people were considered property and property rights are protected by the Constitution, so Congress cannot deny owners the right to take their enslaved people into any U.S. territory. This means federal authority to regulate or restrict slavery in territories is limited, which is why that option is true.

At the same time, the Court held that Black Americans could not be citizens, which is why the other statements don’t fit. The decision also overturned restrictions like the Missouri Compromise, declaring them unconstitutional, a stance that intensified sectional conflict until the Civil War and was later overturned by the 14th Amendment.