What significant decision was made in Dred Scott v. Sandford?

In Dred Scott v. Sandford, the significant decision established that African Americans were considered property rather than citizens. This ruling had profound implications, as it effectively denied citizenship rights to African Americans, including the right to sue in federal court. The Supreme Court's declaration that slaves were not recognized as citizens underscored the legal and social acceptance of slavery at that time and contributed to the tensions leading up to the Civil War. The court argued that no person of African descent could claim U.S. citizenship, which reinforced the systemic inequalities present in American society. This decision was a pivotal moment in American history, illustrating the deep divisions regarding race and slavery.