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The Judiciary Act was passed
The Judiciary act was signed into law by George Washington. The law sets up a three part judiciary made up of district courts, circuit courts and Supreme courts. -
President Adams signs into law the Judiciary Act of 1801
This law was passed by his allies in the Federalist-controlled Congress. The act changed the federal judiciary and started the first circuit judgeships in the country. -
The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case of Marbury v. Madison
After being appointed as chief justice, Marshall realized that the case showed him with a dilemma. If the Court decided a writ of mandamus, Jefferson and Madison could just ignore it, since the Court couldn't enforce the order. -
The crucial third question
Madison, first decided that the act of Congress was unconstitutional, thus establishing the doctrine of judicial review. The court's opinion, written by Chief Justice John Marshall, is one of the foundations of U.S. constitutional law.