Monday, January 12, 2015

Soaptone Dredd Scott Case

SOAPTONE Dred Scott Case

Source  

Who wrote the document?  
 


Chief Justice Roger Taney
What is the author’s background/point of view? 

Roger Taney was the Chief Justice of the Supreme court. He was a jacksonian democrat that freed his own slaves, but was most famous for declaring slaves to be non-citizens in the Dred Scott Case.

Whose point of view, given the topic, is 
missing?  

Dred Scott and other colored people also the abolitionists who supported them. 

Do you consider the source a reliable one on this topic?  Why/why not?

The source is reliable to represent the point of view of a section of America's view on African Americas and slaves in general. It does not accurately portray abolitionists views of slavery and African American's views. 

Occasion  

When was the document written?  

1857

What does the date of the document tell you about its content?

This decision was in the middle of many important historical times that dealt with the issue of slavery such as the Kansas-Nebraska Act. This simply added to the already tense relations between the North and South. 

What other historical events were going on during this time?

The Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed for popular sovereignty which directly went against the Missouri compromise of 1820. 

Audience  

To whom is the author writing?  

The author is directly addressing the court room, but his ruling addresses the entire nation of America. 

What type of document is this (diary entry, personal letter, public speech,
etc.)?    

This is a public speech. 

Does the private/public nature of the document inform you about its content(is the author sharing private thoughts, making a public pronouncement,
etc.)?

Because this is a public speech and not a private letter we do not know exactly what Roger B. Taney's personal opinions were. he freed his slaves why would he deny this freeman freedom?

Purpose  
Why was the document written?  What is the purpose of the document?  


This document was written to put in affect the Dred Scott decision which stated that black people were not citizens, and slaves were property so they therefore could not be taken away from citizens of America. 

What is the document saying?

See above. 

Tone

What is the attitude of the speaker?

The speaker is condemning towards slaves and strict no-nonsense type. He has declared what the law is and there will be no question about it. 

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