The Reconstruction amendments upended the rulings of what Supreme Court decision?*Dred Scott v. SandfordGibbons v. OgdenMarbury v. MadisonFletcher v. Peck

Step 1: Identify the Context of the Question

The Reconstruction amendments, specifically the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the United States Constitution, were implemented to secure the rights of former slaves and ensure their citizenship.

Step 2: Understand the Relevant Supreme Court Decision

The Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) decision ruled that African Americans could not be American citizens and that Congress had no authority to prohibit slavery in federal territories. This ruling was a significant barrier to the rights of African Americans.

Step 3: Analyze How the Reconstruction Amendments Interacted with the Court's Ruling

The Reconstruction amendments were designed specifically to counteract the implications of the Dred Scott decision:

1. 13th Amendment (1865) abolished slavery.
2. 14th Amendment (1868) granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including former slaves, and provided for equal protection under the laws.
3. 15th Amendment (1870) granted African American men the right to vote.

Step 4: Conclusion and Summary

The Reconstruction amendments effectively nullified the Dred Scott v. Sandford decision by granting citizenship and rights to former slaves, thus upending the ruling that denied them these fundamental rights.

Final Answer

The Reconstruction amendments upended the rulings of Dred Scott v. Sandford.