Question

which best explains why the abolitionist movement grew stronger as result of the scott v. sandford ruling?\
\bigcirc many people were angry at the decision and thought it meant slavery would spread.\
\bigcirc many people agreed with the decision but felt that slavery had spread far enough.\
\bigcirc many people thought they could help the scott family by joining the abolitionist movement.\
\bigcirc many people thought they could help black people become citizens by joining the abolitionist movement.

Explanation:

The Scott v. Sandford ruling (Dred Scott decision) declared that African Americans (enslaved or free) were not U.S. citizens and that Congress couldn’t prohibit slavery in territories. Many people, including those who were against the spread of slavery, were angry as it seemed to open the door for slavery to expand. This anger and concern about slavery’s spread led more people to support the abolitionist movement to fight against slavery’s expansion. Option A says people were angry and thought slavery would spread, which aligns with how the ruling fueled abolitionist support. Option B is incorrect as the ruling was pro - slavery expansion, so few would agree it was a good decision. Options C and D are off - topic as the ruling didn’t inspire helping the Scott family or focusing on Black citizenship in that way to grow the abolitionist movement; the main trigger was the threat of slavery’s spread.

Answer:

A. Many people were angry at the decision and thought it meant slavery would spread.