The New Nation (1790-1828) Here, in the Supreme Court Room, Reverdy Johnson won the Dred Scot case Reverdy Johnson Was Born May 21, 1796   Although he personally opposed slavery, Johnson represented the slave-owning defendant in the 1857 Dred Scot case. The U.S. Supreme Court decided in this case that slaves were property and thus could not be citizens of the United States. The court's decision increased antislavery sentiment in the North and fed the fire that sparked the Civil War. Despite the state's support of slavery, Reverdy Johnson helped to keep Maryland in the Union during the war. This was of great strategic importance. If you look at the map on the next page, you might guess why.  Home > Jump Back in Time > The New Nation > Reverdy Johnson > Page 2