Early American Decisions

Early American Decisions

Judiciary Act of 1789

• Established the Supreme Court with six justices
• Defined the Court's jurisdiction and powers
• Created the office of the Attorney General

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

• First significant Supreme Court case
• Established the principle of judicial review
• Gave the Supreme Court the power to declare laws unconstitutional

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

• Established the doctrine of implied powers
• Ruled that the federal government has implied powers beyond those explicitly stated in the Constitution
• Affirmed the supremacy of federal law over state law

Dartmouth College v. Woodward (1819)

• Established the concept of contractual rights
• Ruled that the state of New Hampshire could not alter the charter of Dartmouth College
• Protected the rights of private institutions from state interference

Worcester v. Georgia (1832)

• Established the principle of tribal sovereignty
• Ruled that the state of Georgia could not enforce its laws on Cherokee Indian lands
• Affirmed the rights of Native American tribes to self-governance

Chisholm v. Georgia (1793)

• Established the principle of state sovereignty
• Ruled that a state could not be sued by a citizen of another state
• Later overturned by the 11th Amendment

These early American decisions set important precedents for the development of American law and government, shaping the balance of power between the federal government, states, and individual rights.

Early American Decisions

Judiciary Act of 1789

• Established the Supreme Court with six justices, defining the Court's jurisdiction and powers
• Created the office of the Attorney General, solidifying the federal government's legal structure

Marbury v.Madison (1803)

• First significant Supreme Court case, establishing the principle of judicial review
• Gave the Supreme Court the power to declare laws unconstitutional, a cornerstone of American democracy

McCulloch v.Maryland (1819)

• Established the doctrine of implied powers, broadening the federal government's authority
• Ruled that the federal government has implied powers beyond those explicitly stated in the Constitution, expanding federal power
• Affirmed the supremacy of federal law over state law, clarifying the relationship between federal and state governments

Dartmouth College v.Woodward (1819)

• Established the concept of contractual rights, protecting private institutions from state interference
• Ruled that the state of New Hampshire could not alter the charter of Dartmouth College, upholding the rights of private entities
• Protected the autonomy of private institutions, ensuring their independence from state control

Worcester v.Georgia (1832)

• Established the principle of tribal sovereignty, recognizing the rights of Native American tribes to self-governance
• Ruled that the state of Georgia could not enforce its laws on Cherokee Indian lands, affirming tribal autonomy
• Affirmed the rights of Native American tribes to govern themselves, free from state interference

Chisholm v.Georgia (1793)

• Established the principle of state sovereignty, limiting the ability of citizens to sue states
• Ruled that a state could not be sued by a citizen of another state, protecting state sovereignty
• Later overturned by the 11th Amendment, which further solidified state immunity

Quiz about significant early American court decisions, including the Judiciary Act of 1789, Marbury v. Madison, and McCulloch v. Maryland.