Dred Scott: John Emerson's Struggle For Freedom

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Dred Scott was an enslaved man who belonged to John Emerson. Dr. Emerson died in the free state of Illinois while he had Dred Scott with him. This created a big debate whether he should have freedom or not. Because Dred’s owner died in a free state, anti-slavery supporters thought he should be free. However, pro-slavery supporters thought that because slaves were considered as property that his wife had the right to go get Dred. Dred Scott first went to court to sue for his freedom.
John Emerson took Dred Scott with him on a trip to a free state. On that trip, Dr. Emerson died and Dred Scott, a slave, was left on free soil. The Fugitive Slave Act said that a runaway slave could be captured and returned, this was also difficult because

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