HISET Social Studies Practice

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Study for the HISET Social Studies Test. Access practice exams and detailed explanations to boost your confidence. Prepare effectively and succeed in your test!

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What was the key issue in the Dred Scott case?

Whether slaves could own property
Whether Dred Scott was considered a citizen
Whether slavery should be abolished
Whether states could regulate slavery

The correct answer is: Whether Dred Scott was considered a citizen

The key issue in the Dred Scott case was whether Dred Scott, a man born into slavery, could be considered a citizen and thus have the right to sue in federal court. The Supreme Court's decision heavily hinged on this question, determining that Scott was not a citizen because he was African American and therefore did not have the same rights and privileges as a citizen of the United States. This decision reinforced the notion of racial inferiority and the legality of slavery in the territories, inflaming tensions between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions leading up to the Civil War. In the context of the other choices, while the case did touch on issues related to property rights (as enslaved individuals were considered property), the central legal question was citizenship. Although the implications of the case did influence debates about abolition and state regulation of slavery, the Court's ruling specifically addressed the question of Scott's status as a citizen, making this the most significant issue in the case.