What was a significant effect of the Dred Scott decision?

The Dred Scott decision, issued by the Supreme Court in 1857, had monumental implications for the legal status of slavery in the United States. The ruling declared that African Americans, whether enslaved or free, could not be considered citizens and therefore had no standing to sue in federal court. Most notably, the Court stated that Congress lacked the authority to prohibit slavery in the territories, effectively allowing slavery to be established in all territories of the United States. This decision invalidated the Missouri Compromise, which had sought to limit the spread of slavery in the western territories.

This ruling intensified the sectional conflict between the North and South, as it was seen as a significant victory for pro-slavery forces and undermined efforts to limit the expansion of slavery. By affirming that slavery could legally spread into territories where it had previously been banned, the Dred Scott decision contributed to the growing tensions that would eventually lead to the Civil War.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the consequences of the ruling. The Dred Scott decision did not address women's rights, nor did it affirm the rights of free blacks or consolidate the abolitionist movement directly. Instead, it served as a catalyst for abolitionist sentiments by highlighting the injustices of slavery