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Creation of the Supreme Court
Congress created the Supereme Court when it was described in the Judiciary Act of 1789. There were thirteen district courts with one judge each, and three circuit courts, but above all of these is the Supreme Court with a Chief Justice and Associate Justices. It is important as it established the actual Supreme Court. -
John Jay
John Jay was the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, serving from 1789 to 1795 when appointed by George Washington. This is significant since he was the very first Chief Justice of many to come. -
John Marshall
Appointed by Pres. John Adams, John Marshall was one of the most famous Chief Justices by helping establish that the Supreme Court interperates the Constitution as the final meaning. -
Marbury v. Madison
This was a case in which William Marbury had just been appointed by John Adams the last few days of his term. However, people petitioned that he had not been appointed, but the Court said that he deserved the position. This case was the first case in which something was declared "unconstitutional", established judicial review, and introduced the concept of checks and balances. -
Fletcher vs. Peck
In this case, Fletcher sued Peck for selling land to him that was not rightfully his to sell. This case was the first case in which a state law was ruled unconstitutional. -
Dartmouth College v. Woodward
In this case, the New Hampshire legislature wanted to change Dartmouth College into a state university even though it was a privately funded institution. Dartmouth filed the suit against William H. Woodward. The case was important in it exercised the Contract Clause in the Constitution. -
McCollough v. Maryland
In this case, Congress had just passed an act for the Second Bank of the United States located in Maryland. Maryland also established a tax on banks, but James McCollough refused to pay it. The Court ruled that the bank did not have to pay the tax. It showed that the Supreme Court could grant Congress certain powers. -
Gibbons v. Ogden
In this case, Aaron Ogden sued Thomas Gibbons for operating his steam boat on Ogden's bought area. Gibbons had recieved rights from the state of New York for this. This case was important since the Supreme Court established that the power to regulate interstate commerce was held by Congress. -
Dred Scott v. Sandford
The slave Dred Scott sued John Sandford for his own freedom. The ruling of the Supreme Court stated that anyone of African descent imported in to the US were not covered by the Constitution and could not ever be US citizens. Since slaves were not citizens, they could not sue and slavery therefore could not be prohibited in federal territories.
