Marbury v. Madison Case Overview

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Questions and Answers

William Marbury was appointed a Justice of the Peace in the District of Columbia by President John ______.

Adams

Thomas Jefferson's Secretary of State, James ______, refused to deliver Marbury's commission.

Madison

Marbury argued that he had a legal right to the commission under the ______ Act of 1789.

Judiciary

Madison claimed that the Judiciary Act of 1789 was ______.

<p>unconstitutional</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Supreme Court was led by Chief Justice John ______ during the ruling.

<p>Marshall</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Court declared the Judiciary Act of 1789 unconstitutional with respect to granting the Supreme Court original ______.

<p>jurisdiction</p> Signup and view all the answers

The ruling established the principle of judicial ______.

<p>review</p> Signup and view all the answers

Marbury v. Madison established the Supreme Court as the final ______ of the meaning of the Constitution.

<p>arbiter</p> Signup and view all the answers

The ruling significantly ______ the power of the judiciary compared to the other branches of government.

<p>strengthened</p> Signup and view all the answers

Marbury v. Madison continues to be cited in legal scholarship and American political ______.

<p>discourse</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Judicial Review

The power of the judiciary to declare laws or actions of the other branches of government unconstitutional.

Marbury v. Madison

A landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review.

Commission

The right to hold a specific government office.

Original Jurisdiction

The ability of the Supreme Court to hear a case for the first time.

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Judiciary

The branch of government responsible for interpreting laws and the Constitution.

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Executive Branch

The branch of government responsible for enforcing laws.

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Legislative Branch

The branch of government responsible for making laws.

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The Constitution

The document outlining the basic principles of the US government.

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Appeal

The process by which a higher court reviews a decision by a lower court.

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Judiciary Act of 1789

A law passed by Congress in 1789 that defined the structure of the federal court system.

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Study Notes

Background of the Case

  • William Marbury was appointed a Justice of the Peace in the District of Columbia by President John Adams in the final days of his presidency.
  • His commission was not delivered before Thomas Jefferson took office.
  • Jefferson's Secretary of State, James Madison, refused to deliver the commission, preventing Marbury from taking his appointed position.

Marbury's Argument

  • Marbury argued he had a legal right to the commission.
  • He asserted the Judiciary Act of 1789 provided a legal path to obtain it.
  • He claimed Madison violated his rights by withholding the commission.

Madison's Defense

  • Madison argued the Secretary of State wasn't obligated to deliver commissions.
  • He contended the Judiciary Act of 1789 was unconstitutional.
  • Madison argued the Act gave the Supreme Court powers exceeding its constitutional authority.

The Supreme Court's Ruling

  • The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice John Marshall, acknowledged Marbury's right to the commission.
  • However, the Court lacked the power to force Madison to deliver the commission.

Key Decision

  • The Court declared the Judiciary Act of 1789 unconstitutional in its grant of original jurisdiction to the Supreme Court in Marbury's case.
  • The Constitution, the Court reasoned, defined the Supreme Court's original jurisdiction, not Congress.

Significance of Marbury v. Madison

  • The ruling established the principle of judicial review.
  • Judicial review empowers the Supreme Court to invalidate laws or executive actions deemed unconstitutional.
  • This strengthened the judiciary, making it equal to the other branches of government.
  • The Supreme Court became the final interpreter of the Constitution.

Impact and Lasting Significance

  • Marbury v. Madison profoundly shaped American constitutional law.
  • It set a precedent for resolving conflicts among branches of government.
  • The case's principles continue to be studied and debated.
  • The concept of judicial review is an integral part of the American legal system.

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