Use the information to answer the question that follows. In its 1857 Dred Scott v. Sandford decision, the Supreme Court ruled that Congress could not ban slavery in U. S. territories. Also, since slaves were considered to be property, the Court used the Fifth Amendment to uphold the rights of slave owners.

Which statement best explains how this Supreme Court decision affected the United States?

It led abolitionists to pursue their cause through state courts.

It made tensions worse between different parts of the country.

It convinced the Southern states to secede from the Union.

It forced states and territories to repeal laws abolishing slavery.