Florida Civic Literacy Practice Exam 2026 – Comprehensive Study Guide

The ruling in the case regarding the authors of the Constitution's intentions toward African Americans and their citizenship stems from Dred Scott v. Sandford. In this landmark 1857 decision, the Supreme Court concluded that African Americans, whether enslaved or free, could not be considered American citizens. The Court argued that the framers of the Constitution did not intend for people of African descent to be included as citizens. This decision was significant not only for its legal implications but also for its reinforcement of the institution of slavery and its denial of basic rights to African Americans, which contributed to the tension leading up to the Civil War.

The other cases listed do not address the specific issue of citizenship for African Americans. Brown v. Board of Education dealt with racial segregation in public schools, Plessy v. Ferguson upheld the "separate but equal" doctrine regarding racial segregation, and Miranda v. Arizona focused on the rights of individuals in police custody and their right to counsel. None of these cases discussed the original intent of the Constitution regarding African American citizenship.