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Creation of the Supreme Court
Congress brought out the details of the Supreme Court and the federal judiciary in the Judiciary Act of 1789.
Significance: 13 district courts were established, and 3 circuit areas to cover half of the United States -
John Jay
John Jay was a former president of the Continental Congress and he was appointed to serve on the court by George Washington. Jay served 5 years on the bench and became governor then he was nominated for a second term as Cheif Justice, but sadly, he declined.
Significance: He became governor -
John Marshall
John Marshall was a cheif justice as well as a Revolutionary War veteran. John Adams had appointed him to the Supreme Court but before serving the Court, he got involved in his very own private law practice and turned down many political opportunities.
Significance: He helped establish the Supreme Court and he had teh longest possession of any Chief Justice. -
Marbury v. Madison
James Madison directed William Marbury to serve as the justice of peace for Washington D.C. Since Adam left office before Marbury could fulfill the order, a petition was started. Then the Supreme Court decided he was capable enough for the position.
Significance: Checks and Balances was introduced to the government, Washington got a justice of peace. -
Fletcher v. Peck
John Peck had purchased land that had been sold under the 1795 act and sold it to Robert Fletcher in 1803. But later on Fletcher sued Peck, saying Peck had no rights whatsoever to sell the land becasue the original sale was invalid. The Supreme Court ruled that the state's repeal of the law was unconstitutional and the land was no taken.
Significance: The land did not get taken away -
Dartmouth College v. Woodward
New Hampshire charted Dartmouth college to be private -
McCollough v. Maryland
In 1816 there was an act passed by Congress establishing The Second Bank of the United States. Then in 1818, Maryland passed a law imposing a tax on all banks not charted by their legislature. James McCulloch refused to pay tax required, which the Court held that Congress had the rght to creat the bank.
Significance: A tax was passed on banks and the Court still held the rights to Congress. -
Gibbons v. Ogden
A man named Aaron Ogden purchased rights to operate steamboats between the waters of New York and New Jersey. He later sued Thomas Gibbons for managing steamboats in the same waters without consent.
Significance: Commerce Clause of the Constitution had the authority of power to regulate interstate commerce that was granted to Congress.
