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John Jay
The first chief justice
1789-1795
former president of the Continental Congressappointed by George Washington
nominated for second term by John Adams, but declined
significance: our natiion's first cheif justice of the supreme court -
The Creation of the Supreme Court
Article 3 of Constitution
to interpret laws
Significance- our nation's judiciary system is created
first legislation that came before the U.S. Senate in 1789 was the Judiciary Act, which established a court of one chief justice and five associate justices
court met for the first time in 1790. -
John Marshall
Marbury v. Madison case over judicial review
nominated by Adams
longest serving Chief Justice
made Supreme Court equal branch of government, enfocring judicial review -
Marbury Vs. Madison
Adams appointed William Marbury as justice under judiciary act (1789) never confirmed
Jefferson took office and ordered Madison to see that Marbury's position to not be confirmed
Marbury sued Madison
Marshall (chief jsutice) ruled that Marbury should be comissioned under judiciay act
judiciary act NOT constitutional
Marbury never comissioned
Significance- checks and balances -
Fletcher vs. Peck
Geogia stole land from Native Americans, sold to specualtor John Peck, sold to Robert Fletcher.
New law withdrew all sales of that land
Fletcher sued for his money back
significance: contract clause (states could not nullify private contracts), 1st time Supreme Court overturned state law -
Dartmouth College vs. Woodward
New Hampsire tried to force tcollege to become a state university
original trustees protested because they wanted to keep the original charter and avoid state control
ruled in favor of college, states must repect private contracts
New Hampshire had unconstitutionally interfered with Dartmouth's charter. -
McCollough vs Maryland
James McChollough (head of Second Bank of US in Maryland) refused to pay tax imposed by Maryland on federal bank
Marshall ruled that federal gov. had "implied power" to create national bank, but a State could NOT tax a federal instituion -
Gibbons vs. Ogden
Ogden was permitted steamboat monopoly by NY, then sued for others infringing (gibbons)
Surpreme Court found NY did not have power to regulate interstate commerce
significance: commerce clause interpreted -
Cherokee Nation vs. Georgia
Cherokee seeking out rights in Georgia that deprived them of going within Georgia boundaries
Supreme Court heard case but did not rule because of relationship with cherokee, seen as independent
significance: Trail of Tears -
Commonwealth vs. Hunt
whether it was criminal conspriacy to form labor unions
significance: unions were legal and had right to strike, legalized american labor union movement -
• Worcester v. Georgia
Georgia required all non-Indians to require a permit to stay on Cherokee land.
Worcester had no permit
Samuel Worcester not convicted because law prohibiting non-Indians onto Indian land was ruled unconstitutional
significance- law void, States cannot regulate in matters of Native Americans, Treaty of New Echota -> Trail of Tears -
Dred Scott vs. Sandford
Dred Scott thought that he was free because he spent a long period of time in a free state with his master.
Dred Scott, slave from Missouri, moved to Illinois (free). Returned to Missouri & sued for freedom
"no one of African descent could be US citizen"
ruled in favor of Sanford
significance: lasting implications for African descent in society, slaves considered property-not citizens, no right to sue
