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John Jay
John Jay, born in New York, was the first cheif justice of the Supreme Court. In 1789, he was appointed to serve by President George Washington. He later opened up peace nagotiations with Britain in what would later be known as "Jay's Treaty." -
John Marshall
John Marshell, born in virginia, was the 4th cheif justice for the Supreme Court. In 1801 he was appointed by president John Adams. He was cheif justice for 34 years and had many notable cases. During his time, he strengthend the power of the Constitution. -
Creation of the Supreme Court
Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution gave athorization of the Supreme Court. In 1789 the judiciary act made a court of 1 cheif justice and 5 associate justices They met for the first time in 1790. -
Marbury vs. Madison
William Marbury was appointed as justice of the peace for the DC area. He was appointed in the last days of the Adams administration and the position was never finalized. He then sued for his job. The Supreme court stated that the constitution was the highest law of the land and any law that went against it was void. This case established the courts power of judicial review. -
Fletcher vs. Peck
A land purchase was made between two men. This land claims had been called invaled by the Georgia legislature. It was found that the Georgia legislature could not take away the land or invalidate it. -
Dartmouth College vs. Woodward
The state legislature tried to change the school's charter as it tried to change to a public school. It was determined that legislature could not interfere with the privitly owned charter. -
McCulloch vs. Maryland
Maryland imposed taxes on banks and James McCulloch refused to pay the tax. Congress ruled that Congress has some powers no expressly stated by the Constitution. -
Gibbons vs. Ogden
Two men owned a monopoly on steamboat when the monopoly was chalenged. It was deturmined that Congress does have the power to regulate interstate waterways. -
Worcester vs. Georgia
Samuel Worcester and other non-Native Americans, were indictied for "residing within the limits of the Cherokee nation without a license." Worcester felt that this violated the Constitution. The Supreme Court found that the Georgia act was unconstitutional. This decision stated that Native Americans were not under the rule of the US. -
Dred Scott vs. Sanford
Dred Scott, a slave from Missouri, lived in a free area where slavery was not allowed. Upon returning to Missouri, Scott sued claiming that he was free because he had lived in a free area.
Congress found that Scott was a slave and that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional.
