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John Jay
John Jay was the first Chief Justice in the Supreme Court. He was nominated by Geroge Washington in 1789. His term was from October 19, 1789 to June 29, 1795. I feel he was important because as the first Chief Justice, he sort of laid the ground work and set the expectations for the following Justices. He was the first, therefore people would probably tend to follow his examples as Justices. -
Artical 3 - Creation of the Supreme Court
The third artical was added in 1789, adding a Supreme Court consisting of five Associate Justices and a Chief Justice. The first time the Supreme Court was called Feb. 1, 1790 in the Merchants Exchange Building in New York City. Then they were called to the Nation's Capitol. I feel this is essential because the country needed a Supreme Court to handle things. -
John Marshall
John Marshall was the second Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. His term was from January 31, 1801 to July 6, 1835. He played a very significant role in helping create the legal system. He made the Supreme Court like an equal branch to the executive and legislative branches. I feel this was an imprtant milestone because he helped create what is somewhat our legal system today. Without a legal system things would not be good. -
Maybury vs. Madison
This case formed the basis for the practice of the judicial review. This was the first time they have to call a law unconstitutional and invalidate it. This helped give meaning to the checks and balances of the government. I feel this case was important because especially the checks and balances are important. That is what keeps our government power in check so nothing extraordinary happens. -
Fletcher vs. Peck
This case was a milestone because it was the first time the Supreme Court had to rule a state law unconstitutional. This also hinted that the Natives did have technically own their own land. This is a milestone because it helped establish land purchases in the US. -
Dartmouth College v. Woodward
New Hampshire legislature attempted to convert Dartmouth to state school instead of a private school. -
McCulloch v. Maryland
In 1816, Congress passed an act establishing the Second Bank of the United States, and in 1817 a branch opened in Baltimore, Maryland. -
Gibbons v. Ogden
This case established that the power to regulate interstate commerce was granted to Congress by the Commerce Clause of the Constitution. -
Cherokee Nation v. Georgia
By refusing to hear the case, the Court left the Cherokees at the mercy of the state of Georgia and its land-hungry citizens. In late 1838 the Cherokee were forcefully marched under winter conditions from their homes in northwest Georgia to lands set aside in Oklahoma. -
Worcester v. Georgia
This ruling was the third key decision by Chief Justice John Marshall since 1823 establishing the political standing of Indian tribes within the United States. -
Commonwealth v. Hunt
Declared that labor unions were lawful organizations and that the strike was a lawful weapon. -
Dred-Scott v. Sanford
In March of 1857, the United States Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, declared that all blacks -- slaves as well as free -- were not and could never become citizens of the United States. The court also declared the 1820 Missouri Compromise unconstitutional, thus permiting slavery in all of the country's territories.The case before the court was that of Dred Scott v. Sanford.
