The Northern reaction to the Dred Scott decision was overwhelmingly negative. Many Northerners saw the decision as a betrayal of the principles of liberty and equality upon which the United States was founded. They argued that the decision would allow slavery to expand into new territories and thus perpetuate the institution of slavery in the United States.
The Dred Scott decision also sparked a wave of political activism in the North. In the aftermath of the decision, many Northerners joined the Republican Party, which opposed the expansion of slavery and advocated for the abolition of slavery in the United States. The Republican Party quickly grew in popularity and strength, and in 1860, its candidate, Abraham Lincoln, was elected president.
Southern Reaction
In contrast to the Northern reaction, the Southern reaction to the Dred Scott decision was overwhelmingly positive. Many Southerners saw the decision as a victory for their way of life and as a vindication of their belief in the institution of slavery. They argued that the decision would help to protect slavery from being abolished and would allow slavery to continue to exist in the United States.
The Dred Scott decision also gave the South a sense of confidence and security in the future of slavery. Many Southerners believed that the decision would make it impossible for the North to abolish slavery and that the South would be able to continue to maintain its slave society. This confidence and security helped to embolden the South and led to the secession of eleven Southern states from the Union and the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861.
In conclusion, the Dred Scott decision had a profound impact on the United States and was a major contributing factor to the American Civil War. The decision's negative reception in the North and positive reception in the South further widened the gap between the two regions and made the outbreak of war inevitable.