Select the correct answer. Read the excerpt below:

In the opinion of the court, the legislation and histories of the times, and the language used in the Declaration of Independence, show, that neither the class of persons who had been imported as slaves, nor their descendants, whether they had become free or not, were then acknowledged as a part of the people, nor intended to be included in the general words used in that memorable instrument.

— Roger Taney, from Dred Scott v. Sandford

Which conclusion can you draw about attitudes toward African Americans from this excerpt?

A.
People believed that legislation needed to be written to protect African Americans.
B.
People believed that African Americans were not equal to White people.
C.
People believed that only free African Americans should have equal rights.
D.
People believed that African Americans would achieve equality when slavery ended.