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Creation of the Supreme Court: Article 3 of the Constitution of the United States
Constitution of the United States
Desciption: Article III of the United States Constitution explains and identifies all the cases and reasons under which the judiciary and all courts beneath it shall function.
Significance: This article of the constitution established what is now our court system and has allowed to resolve issues and keep the law in order. -
John Jay
Description: First Chief Justice of the United States, "Founding Father", wrote federalist papers under the penname PUBLIUS and played a large role in the Continental congress.
Significance: Due to the big role he played in the continental congress, his expierence brought about alot of information and knowledge to what is now our judiciary system. -
John Marshall
Chief Justice John Marshall
1801-1835
Discription: He was selected to take the position of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court under President John Adams. He maintained this poition for 34 years until Jefferson’s inauguration.
Significance- Marshall assisted in founding the Supreme Court as and the final authority on the meaning of the Constitution. -
Marbury vs. Madison
Discription: William Marbury was assigned to serve as the Justice of peace of Washington D.C. by John Adams, but his assignment was never really fulfilled. Subsequently, a petition was started and was decided upon by the Supreme Court that he was entitled to the position.
Significance: The doctrine of judicial review was established and has become significantly important. This doctorine states the Supreme Court’s power as interpreter of the Constitution. -
Fletcher vs. Peck
Discription: This event took place shortly after Peck sold land to Fletcher. An occurence which led Fletcher to take legal action against Peck due to the invalidity of the sale that was made prior to Fletcher's investment.
Significance: Due to the Supreme Court's unanimous desicion that issue was unconsitutional, the land was not taken away. Thus, the land that was located in Georgia was expanded and developed. -
McCollough vs. Maryland
Discription: After Congress passed an act establishing the Second Bank of the United States, the State of Maryland passed another law that imposed taxes on all banks not charterted by legislature. McCollough, the head of the branch in Maryland, refused to pay the tax and thus created and uprise between the state and the congress.
Significance: As a result the court decided that Congess had the right to establish the bank and the law created by Maryland was interfering with Congress' power. -
Dartmouth College vs. Woodward
Discription: This was a suit filed by the trustees of Darmouth College of which they claimed that the legislature violated the Constitution after laws changed the college from a private to a public institute.
Significance: Darmouth College remained private after the court agreed and struck down the law. -
Gibbons vs. Ogden
Description: Ogden sued Gibbons for sailing steamboats on his land which was granted to him by purchased rights.
Significance: This case established the power to regulate interstate commerce granted to Congress by the Commerce Clause of the Constitution. -
Cherokee Nation v. Georgia
Description: The Cherokee Nation searched for federal action against laws passed by the state of Georgia that denied them of privledges within thier boundries. Yet, the Supreme Court did not rule in thier favor and refused to listen to thier merits.
Significance: This trial brought attention to the Indian rights and allowed them to prove that they were willing to stand up for what was rightfully thiers. -
Commonwealth v. Hunt
Description: The Commonwealth v. Hunt was a trial against labor unions, one in particular known as the Boston Journeymen Bootmakers' Society, The union, specifically hunt one of the leaders, were arrested and charged with conspiracy for refusing the employment of non-members.
Significance: It was a movement that was against discrimination in the United States, a factor that now takes on large importance due to the multi-racial, religious and cultural backgrounds. -
Worchester v. Georgia
Description: The Worchester v. Georgia trail was based around Georgia's selfish wish to remove the Cherokees who held territory within the borders of Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, and Tennesse. The Cherokees, however decided that they were a sovereign nation and could not be removed without thier consent.
Significance: The Worcester decision soon became a powerful weapon against goverment enroachments for the local and national tribal powers. -
Dred Scott v. Sanford
Description: The Scott vs. Sanford case was centered on a slavery issue between Dred Scott and his owner. Dred Scott claimed to be taken to live at military camp in Illinois, a state in which slavery was banned. Scott won the case, and was freed from his slavery owner.
Significance: Scott raised an awareness on slave status in free soil. He gave hope to his fellow African American friends towards the slavery issue, and proved that there might indeed be an end. -
Maples vs. Thomas
Description: Cory Maples lost the chance to appeal his death sentence when his attorneys, Sullivan & Cromwell, and the firm's mailroom returned a court order unopened with "Return to Sender-Left Firm." District court denied Maples' request for a late appeal, and thedecision was upheld by the 11th Circuit. Maples then petitioned the Supreme Court, arguing that the missed deadline was not his fault.
Sig: Allows public to see that even if it is with the goverment it is important to take a stand.
