Marbury Vs. James Madison: The Most Important Case In Supreme Court History

465 Words1 Page
bulb-icon

Recommended: Pros and cons of marbury v. madison

On February 24, 1803, in the District of Columbia in the United States of America, with the Supreme Court led by Chief Justice John Marshall, crucial history took place; the case of William Marbury versus James Madison. Many people say that this case is the most important case in Supreme Court history because it was the first to apply the principle of judicial review. This Supreme Court case determined many rules and laws that were put into place later in the future. Thomas Jefferson had just become the U.S. President, so John Adams appointed a large amount of justices of peace which were approved by the Senate, signed by the president, and affixed with the official seal of the government. William Marbury was appointed a justice of the peace

Show More
Related

  • The Court Case: Mcculloch V. Maryland

    811 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the controversial court case, McCulloch v. Maryland, Chief Justice John Marshall’s verdict gave Congress the implied powers to carry out any laws they deemed to be “necessary and proper” to the state of the Union. In this 1819 court case, the state of Maryland tried to sue James McCulloch, a cashier at the Second Bank of the United States, for opening a branch in Baltimore. McCulloch refused to pay the tax and therefore the issue was brought before the courts; the decision would therefore change the way Americans viewed the Constitution to this day.

    Read More

  • Influential Supreme Court Case: Gideon vs. Wainwright

    894 Words  | 2 Pages

    There have been several different Supreme Court cases over the years that have been influential to most everybody who is aware of them. For example, the case of Roe vs. Wade was and still is immensely influential and is the cause of pro-life/pro-choice debates. Another important case was Marbury vs. Madison, which was the first Supreme Court case to ever declare that a law passed by Congress was unconstitutional. Even though those two cases were a couple of the most important and influential in American history nothing compares to the influence that the case of Gideon vs. Wainwright has provided, in my opinion. This case was tremendously important to the way that law enforcement is to be carried out in that it forced detectives and FBI’s and the like to “do their homework” before declaring someone guilty of a crime. Although this case was very influential on the way police forces carry out their duties, I think the case was mostly important in that it forced all courts in the U.S. to have a greater recognition of the Sixth Amendment of the Constitution and the story of the victim involved in this case.

    Read More

  • The Court Case of Clinton v. The City of New York

    835 Words  | 2 Pages

    There have been many, many court cases throughout the history of the United States. One important case that I believe to be important is the court case of Clinton v. New York. This case involves more than just President Bill Clinton, the City of New York. It involved Snake River Farmers’ as well. This case mostly revolves around the president’s power of the line item veto.

    Read More

  • The Court Case of Marbury v. Madison and Judicial Review

    866 Words  | 2 Pages

    John Adams, the previous Federalist president, lost the Election of 1800 to Thomas Jefferson, a Democratic-Republican. Before Jefferson took office, Adams decided to appoint as many Federalists into the Supreme court as he could, including William Marbury, all of whom needed to be commissioned in order to be officially sworn in. However, Jefferson took office before the commissions could be handed out, and he ordered his Secretary of State, James Madison, to not deliver the commissions. Marbury proceeded to ask Marshall for a writ of mandamus (found in Section 13 of the Judiciary Act), forcing Madison to issue the commissions. This dispute between Marbury and Madison sparks the famous case. The dilemma here is the differences in interpretation. Some viewed Section 13 as unconstitutional, as it added power to the Judicial Branch, disrupting checks and balances. Others saw that “Marbury had been duly appointed…[and] the writ of mandamus [was] to be an appropriate legal remedy for resolving Marbury’s dilemma”(Clinton 86). Marshall wanted to issue the...

    Read More

  • Plessy V Ferguson Court Case Analysis

    756 Words  | 2 Pages

    In 1896, the Supreme Court was introduced with a case that not only tested both levels of government, state and federal, but also helped further establish a precedent that it was built off of. This court case is commonly known as the case that confirmed the doctrine “separate but equal”. This doctrine is a crucial part of our Constitution and more importantly, our history. This court case involved the analysis of amendments, laws, and divisions of power. Plessy v. Ferguson was a significant court case in U.S history because it was shaped by federalism and precedent, which were two key components that were further established and clarified as a result of the Supreme Court’s final decision.

    Read More

  • The Influence Of Thomas Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase

    1033 Words  | 3 Pages

    Madison as he was in the Louisiana Purchase, he was still a key player in this episode that redefined the Judiciary branch of American government. Jefferson had just taken over the presidency from John Adams, a member of the rival Federalist Party, who, during his last days in office, had many of his fellow Federalists assigned offices in the Judiciary, including the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John Marshall (Goldfield 277). Jefferson and his Secretary of State, James Madison, resented this Federalist grab for power and refused to give one of the appointees his position. This appointee, William Marbury, used the Judiciary Act of 1789 to take the issue to court (277). However Marshall, did not rule that Marbury be given his appointment by Jefferson, who had been actively removing Federalist Judges and would likely choose not to acknowledge Marshall’s authority (277). Marshall took a different approach, instead of giving Marbury his appointment, he declared the Judiciary Act of 1789 unconstitutional because it gave the Supreme Court authority that was beyond what was outlined in the Constitution (277). By taking away some of his own authority, Marshall gave the Supreme Court the formidable ability to declare laws unconstitutional (277). Interestingly, it would never have happened if Jefferson and his administration had not have taken action (or in this case lack of action) against the appointment

    Read More

  • The Monroe Doctrine Was A Bold Statement Of American Foreign Policy

    1234 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are many court cases that can make the case of being one of the most important court cases in American history. There are so many court cases that I am unable to decide on only one. Five court cases can lay claim to this number one position. These cases are so important. one Similitary between them is that they all have to do with limiting the states and governments rights. That is why these cases can be ranked #1 in important court cases.

    Read More

  • Marbury v Madison: Judicial Review

    1201 Words  | 3 Pages

    Marbury v. Madison, which established the power of judicial review for the Supreme Court, changed the course of American history. This power to review legislation that congress has passed and possibly deem it unconstitutional has had a profound impact on American society. This power provides a check on the Legislative branch, but it also lends itself to an important debate over when the Court can and should use this power. Should the court use this power to increase the power of the national government, something many call judicial activism? Or should this power be used to curtail national legislative power and increase the liberties given to individuals? During the period around the Great Depression, the court dealt with many economic cases regarding these questions, and at first glance, it appears that they did not seem to favor either the government or the individual. Looking closer, however, one sees that the cases that side with the individual struck down legislation that interfered with the commerce clause or police power. When legislation invoking either of the aforementioned clauses was provided, the Supreme Court tended to side with the Government over the individual, as seen in the cases Munn v. Illinois, National Relations Board v. Jones, and Wickard v. Filburn. When the legislation provided had no business with the commerce clause or police power, such as in Adkins v. Children’s Hospital, the court had no choice but to side with the individual.

    Read More

  • Paton And Thomas Vs. Supreme Court Case Study

    586 Words  | 2 Pages

    I have learned that some cases go to trial pretty fast and then others take longer. I found that people can wait up to 9 years for trial and they still get convicted as guilty, but there are some that get their cases dismissed. Which is far because it did violated the right to speedy trial so which mean the case gets dismissed.

    Read More

  • Thomas Jefferson

    1060 Words  | 3 Pages

    Jefferson’s first act as president was to tell Secretary of State James Madison to withhold the midnight appointment of William Marbury to the office of Justice of the Peace of the District of Columbia. Marbury sued for the appointment President Adams had given him and Chief Justice John Marshall ruled in his favor. The case Marbury vs. Madison set the precedent of the courts right to judicial review of the other branches of government.

    Read More

  • 1810 Supreme Court Case

    537 Words  | 2 Pages

    This was the first case where the Supreme Court ruled an act passed by a state as unconstitutional. This case also increased the value and strength of any contract. Therefore, is insured the stability of land sales and other contracts to both parties, and deemed states unable to overturn and invalidate contracts for any reason. This was important because previously, it was open to anyone was in the government to overturn and annul contracts as they pleased, but this case proved to be a turning point, and established a dependability for the people.

    Read More

  • John Marshall's Effect on the American Judicial System

    1672 Words  | 4 Pages

    The judicial power, also known back then as The Weakest Branch, was created to achieve an effective collaboration of the powers, what we call now Check and Balances. One of the framers of the Judicial Power was John Marshall. Chief Justice John Marshall is one of the main figures in the history of the US Judicial System. He was the youngest Chief Justices in the history of the United States and was the developer of the most important power of the Supreme Court, The Judicial Review.

    Read More

  • The Constitutional Issue of Abortion

    836 Words  | 2 Pages

    Several cases have been fought for the right to choose. Many of these have been hard cases with very personal feelings, but the perseverance showed through and gives us the rights we have today. Here are some important cases: 1965 - Griswold v. Connecticut - upheld the right to privacy and ended the ban on birth control. Eight years later, the Supreme Court ruled the right to privacy included abortions. Roe v. Wade was based upon this case. 1973 - Roe v. Wade: - The state of Texas had outlawed abortions. The Supreme Court declared the law unconstitutional, but refused to order an injunction against the state. On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court voted the right to privacy included abortions.

    Read More

  • District of Columbia v. Heller: The Use and Permit of Handguns

    1536 Words  | 4 Pages

    The District of Columbia v. Heller plays an important role in shaping our right to keep and bear arms for self-defense by being the first court case that defines who can own guns for self-defend. The whole case is revolving around the Second Amendment and its meaning. Since the Second Amendment first enact into law in 1791, this prompts the court to look at it again. By understanding its original meaning, the court then can understand what intended to do and how it affects our current time. Before the Heller court case, States in America have its own laws on who can own and use guns. While some State is lax in their law...

    Read More

  • The Case of Marbury v. Madison

    989 Words  | 2 Pages

    These early Supreme Court decisions have made a lasting impression on the United States. Marbury v. Madison established the concept of judicial review that strengthened the ability of the judcicary to act as a check against the legislative and executive branches by providing for the review of Congressional acts by the judiciary to determine the constitutionality of such acts. McCulloch v. Maryland allowed for the expansion of Congress’ implied powers needed to execute its delegated powers as well as defined the supremacy of constitutionally enacted federal entities over state statutes.

    Read More

More about Marbury Vs. James Madison: The Most Important Case In Supreme Court History

Open Document