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Creation of the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the final judge in all cases, including Congress and the Constitution. -
John Jay
Sept. 24, 1789-1795. He was the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Appointed by George Washington. Offered a second term by John Adams, but declined. -
John Marshall
4th Chief Justice of the United States. Served Jan 31,1801-July 6, 1835. 4th Sec. of State June 13, 1800-March 13, 1801. -
Marbury v. Madison
William Marbury was appointed justice of the peace by John Adams, but the position was not completely issued until after Adam's term. Supreme Court decided that Marbury was entitled to that position, and the term checks and balances came from this. -
Fletcher v. Peck
The state of Georgia was divided into four different sections, and the sections were sold for bribes, to different development companies. John Peck bought one of these sections and sold it to Fletcher. The transactions were voided and Fletcher sued. Supreme Court unanimously decided that the land would not be taken away due to unconstitutional wrong doing of the state. -
Dartmouth College v. Woodward
New Hampshire legislature tried changing Dartmouth College, a private college, into a state university. Argued 6-1 that the legislature could not interfere. "Contracts" were properties of lands not the citizens. -
McCulloch v. Maryland
1816 Congress passed an act for the Second Bank of the United States. 1817 a branch opened in Baltimore, and Maryland passed a law a year later imposing taxes on all banks not chartered by the legislature. McCulloch refused. - Court said Maryland was interferring with the powers of the Congress. -
Gibbons v. Ogden
Established that the Commerce Clause of the Constitution granted Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce. Aaron Ogden bought rights to regulate steamboats in the waters between NY and NJ. Sued Thomas Gibbons for opperating in the same waters without permission. Court found NY inconsistent with Congress' duty. -
Dred Scott v. Sandford
Dred Scott was a slave in Missouri then was taken to the free territory of Wisconsin where he lived for two years, then returned to Missouri. He stated that because he resided on free soil for two years that made him a free citizen. He sued for his freedom, but the majority of the Court decided against him.
