Question

Select the correct answer.
Read the excerpt below:

In the opinion of the court, the legislation and histories of the times, and the language used in the Declaration of Independence, show, that neither the class of persons who had been imported as slaves, nor their descendants, whether they had become free or not, were then acknowledged as a part of the people, nor intended to be included in the general words used in that memorable instrument.

— Roger Taney, from Dred Scott v. Sandford



Which conclusion can you draw about attitudes toward African Americans from this excerpt?

A.
People believed that legislation needed to be written to protect African Americans.
B.
People believed that African Americans were not equal to White people.
C.
People believed that only free African Americans should have equal rights.
D.
People believed that African Americans would achieve equality when slavery ended.

Answer 1

The general attitude was that B. People believed that African Americans were not equal to White people.

In the case of Dred Scott v. Sandford, Dred Scott sued for his freedom because he had been taken into territories where slavery was illegal and so he believed he had gained his freedom.

Upon appealing all the way to the Supreme Court, he was told that:

• Black people were not allowed to be American citizens
• Black people were legally property
• This applied to both free and enslaved blacks

This decision was roundly criticized and reversed.

This therefore conclusively shows that Black people were not considered equal to whites at the time which was why they could not claim American citizenship.

Find out more at https://brainly.com/question/22575272.

Answer 2

Answer:

B

Explanation:

People believed African Americans were not equal to White people.