How Did Dred Scott Influence The Civil Rights Movement

Born into slavery in 1795 Dred Scott just seemed like every other black slave in the South, but down the road he would be one of the biggest influences in the civil rights movement and the progression of slavery. Dred Scott tried to earn his freedom in a very unusual ways for the black slaves back then, he fought like the white men would; in court. This case would later influence the South succeeding into the confederacy, and most certainly making a big point into slavery coming to an end.

Dred Scott earned his freedom after his first slave owner Peter Blow had passed away. After his first owner died, Scott spent time in two free states working for several subsequent owners. Shortly after he married Harriet Robinson, he tried to buy freedom for himself and his wife him and their four children but failed, where finally in Missouri he took legal action. He argued that although he served other families than the Blow’s he had served them in free states therefore making him a free man, which became the basis for his legal battles. The series of court rulings began in 1846. Dred Scott lost in his first law suit in a local St. Louis district court, which he then later appealed and won the second trial. But the final decision of the second trail was decided to be over turned to the Missouri Supreme court. The
Finally in the end Peter Blows sons, who had grown up with Dred Scott payed all of his legal fees and eventually purchased Dred Scott and his wife Harriet Robinson and emancaped him, giving him the freedom he so desperately wanted and deserved. Sadly, Dred Scott’s freedom was much to short lived after passing away from tuberculosis nine months later on September 17, 1858 in St. Louis Missouri. His wife Harriet survived another 18 years Dred Scott was originally buried in Calvary Cemetery in St.