What was the main issue in the case of Dred Scott v. Sandford?

The main issue in the case of Dred Scott v. Sandford was indeed focused on citizenship and the rights of enslaved people. In this landmark decision, the Supreme Court ruled that Dred Scott, an enslaved African American man, could not claim U.S. citizenship and therefore had no right to sue in federal court. The ruling highlighted the legal status of enslaved individuals and questioned Congress's authority to regulate slavery in the territories.

This case became a pivotal moment in American history, illustrating the deep divisions in the country regarding slavery and citizenship. The Court's decision stated that neither enslaved people nor their descendants could ever become citizens, which compounded the already existing discrimination and enshrined the notion of racial inequality into law.

This context enables a clear understanding of why the correct answer pertains to citizenship and the rights of enslaved people, as the central legal themes revolved around their status in a society that was deeply divided over the issues of slavery and human rights.