-
Creation of The Supreme Court
In 1787 when the Constitution was written, the Supreme Court was established under Article III. In the Judiciary Act of 1789, Congress established thirteen district courts in principal cities, and three circuit courts that covered the areas of eastern, middle, and southern United States. Above all these was the supreme Court. This is obviously significant because the Supreme Court is the foundation of our laws and daily lives still today; it is what defines our country and government. -
Period: to
John Jay serves as Chief Justice of the United States
This is significant mainly for the reason that Jay was the first Chief Justice of the States. Other reasons for the importance of this event are Jay's approaches to unsettled controversies at the time. In 1794, Jay was drafted for a mission to England, where Jay's Treaty was concuded in helping to keep America and Great Britain from another war. Another significant instance is his agreement with James Wilson in Chisholm v. Georgia, which led to the passing of the Eleventh Amendment. -
Period: to
John Marshall serves as Chief Justice of the United States
John Marshall played a very significant role in the Supreme Court. Aside from the many cases he ruled on, an especially important effect he had on the States were his reminders that the feral courts were entitled to judicial review. This means they have the power to strike down laws that are unconstitutional. Marshall's time serving as Chief Justice is important not only because of the famous cases he ruled on, but also because of the grounds he set for cuture Court systems and cases. -
Marbury v. Madison
This case came up when John Adams, at the end of his presidency, made "midnight appointments" to have William Marbury be commisioned Justice of the peace in the District of Columbia. When the new administration denied this commision, Marbury sued James Madison, Jefferson's Secretary of State. John Marshall ruled that altough Marbury was entitled the commission, it was unconstitutional for the Supreme Court to have the authority that was denied it in Article 3 of the Constitution. -
Fletcher v. Peck
This was a contratc rights because it protected porperty rights against popular belief and once again emphasized Supreme Court's rights to both validate state laws. In 1795, members of the Georgia legislature were bribed to sell The Yazoo Lands (now Mississippi and Alabama) for a small amount to private speculators. Later the bribe was revealed and a new Georgia legislature took back the sale. Marshall ruled that the original sale was a legal contract, even if it hadn't been transacted honestly. -
Dartmouth College v. Woodward
This case set a legal prcedent that a cntract cannot be altered without the consent of both parties. The state of New Hampshire tried to alter a charter granted in 1769 by King George III to change Dartmouth from a private to public school.Marshall ruled that the original contract must stand because it cannot be changed without permission from both parties. This ruling also effectively guarded private corporations from being overruled by the states' governments. -
McColloch v. Maryland
This is considered by many John Marshall's most important interpretation of the Constitution, because it dealt with the division of power between the government and the states. When Maryland placed an annual tax on the bank of the United States and other banks "foreign" to the state. The Maryland branch of the bank refused to pay the tax, and John Mcolloch was sued. Marshall Court used a loose interpretation of the Constitution and ruled in favor of McColloch. -
Gibbons v. Ogden
Robert Fulton and Robert Livingston sold the rights of operating a ferry between New York and New Jersey to Aaron Ogden. Ogden later sued Thomas Gibbons when Gibbons also started to operate a ferry there. Marshall ruled in favor of Gibbons, which broke up the monopoly that Fulton and Livingston had held and reminded the state of New York that they had no authority to regulate interstate commerce.
