Pierce Administration - Pierce and the Judiciary
Pierce and the Judiciary
The Supreme Court played no important role in the federal government during the Pierce administration. Although federal commissioners tried some cases under the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, which required the return of escaped slaves to their owners in the South, the Supreme Court did not announce its Dred Scot decision to uphold the constitutionality of slavery until days after Pierce left office. During this time Pierce made only one appointment to the Supreme Court, Associate Justice John Archibald Campbell of Alabama on March 22, 1853.
[The entire page is 102 words long]
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
Navigate
Related Topics
