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Creation of the Supreme Court
The Judiciary Act of 1789 laid out the baselines for the law system in the U.S. Thirteen district Courts were created in principle cities. To overlook these courts, the Supreme Court was created, with a Chief Justice and Associate Justices. -
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First Supreme Court Chief Justice
John Jay was the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He was a New York Native and a former president of the Continental Congress. George Washington appointed him as the Chief Justice. He served for five years before stepping down. He then became the Governor of New York. He was nominated to be the Chief Justice again, by John Adams, but declined. -
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John Marshall
John Marshall was appointed by John Adams to be the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He served up through Jefferson's Inauguration upon request. He has the longest tenure of any Chief Justice at thirty-four years. He helped establish the Supreme Court as the final authority on the meaning of the Constitution. -
Marbury v. Madison
The conflict started when, after John Adams appointed him as the justice of peace in D.C, Marbury never fully his appointment after Adams left office. This case established the Court's power to interpret the Constitution and introoduced the concept of checks and balances to the government. -
Fletcher v. Peck
John Peck acquired land that was part of the original legislative grant. He then sold the land to Robert Fletcher three years later, claiming that past sales of the land had been legitimate. Fletcher argued that since the original sale of the land had been declared invalid. The previous owners were mad at the return of their investment. Fletcher sued Peck. The issue was "Is a law that negates all property rights established under an earlier law unconstitutional?" and the Marshall Court determine -
Dartmouth v Woodward
Issue: Did the New Hampshire legislature unconstitutionally interfere with Dartmouth College's rights under the Contract Clause?
Conclusion:
In a 6-to-1 decision, the Court decided that the legislature could not interfere wit htwo private contracts. -
McCulloch v Maryland
Issues:
!) Does Congress have the power under the Constitution to incorporate a bank, even though that power is not specifically enumerated within the Constitution?
2) Does the State of Maryland have the power to tax an institution created by Congress pursuant to its powers under the Constitution?
Decision:
1) Yes. Congress has power to do so (Article 1, Sect. 8)
2) No. The State of Maryland does not have the power to tax an institution created by Congress. -
Gibbons v Ogden
Ogden was mad about the fact that Gibbons was working his steam ships in New York waters because he thought he had the exclusive right to do so. After the decision was made, Gibbons was legally allowed to navigate new York waters. -
Dred Scott v. Sanford
Dred Scott was a slave residing in the free state of Illinois. He argued that he was a free citizen of Illinois, and not a slave. Taney came to the conclusion that no Black could be a citizen (from the constitution). So Scott was still a slave and the Missouri Compromise was ruled unconstituional.
