Name______________________________
Supreme Court Case/Year: Marbury v. Madison (1803)
Block _____
Chief Justice: John Marshall
Background: (Brief description of facts)

William Marbury was appointed as a justice of the peace by the outgoing President John Adams
but did not receive his official commission before the new President Thomas Jefferson took
office.

Marbury sued James Madison, the new Secretary of State, to force him to deliver the
commission.
Constitutional Issue(s): (What part of the Constitution is being addressed by this case)

The key issue was whether the Judiciary Act of 1789, which allowed the Supreme Court to issue
a "writ of mandamus" (a court order to a government official) to make Madison deliver
Marbury's commission, conflicted with the Constitution. In essence, it questioned if the Court
had the power to make this demand.
Court Decision(s): (Explain the decision of the court)

The Court ruled that Marbury had the right to the commission but that the Judiciary Act's
provision expanding the Court's power was unconstitutional.

This established the principle of "judicial review," which means the Supreme Court can declare a
law or action unconstitutional if it goes against the Constitution.

This decision made the Court the ultimate authority on the Constitution's interpretation.
Legal Impact of Decision (Precedent):

Marbury v. Madison is crucial because it introduced the concept of judicial review, giving the
courts the authority to check and balance the actions of the government and interpret the
Constitution. This precedent continues to be a fundamental aspect of U.S. law.
Name______________________________
Supreme Court Case/Year: Fletcher v. Peck (1810)
Block _____
Chief Justice: John Marshall
Background: (Brief description of facts)

In 1795, the Georgia legislature passed a law selling land to private companies, including the
Yazoo Land Companies.

Subsequently, it was revealed that lawmakers had been bribed, leading to public outrage.

In 1802, the Georgia legislature passed another law invalidating the previous land sales, which
included a sale to Robert Fletcher. Peck, who had purchased the land from Fletcher, sued him
for a refund, and Fletcher argued that the land sale was valid.
Constitutional Issue(s): (What part of the Constitution is being addressed by this case)

The central issue was whether the 1796 sale of land by the Georgia legislature, which was later
invalidated by a subsequent law, was protected by the Contract Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
The Contract Clause prohibits states from impairing the obligation of contracts.
Court Decision(s): (Explain the decision of the court)

The Court ruled in favor of Fletcher, stating that the original land sale was a valid contract, and
Georgia's attempt to void it violated the Contract Clause.

This decision confirmed the sanctity of contracts and limited the states' power to impair them.
Legal Impact of Decision (Precedent):

Fletcher v. Peck established a crucial precedent in upholding the sanctity of contracts and
restricting states' authority to impair those contracts.

It helped to define the scope of the Contract Clause and confirmed the federal government's
authority to review state laws to ensure they comply with the U.S. Constitution.

This decision has had lasting significance in contract law and federal-state relations.
Name______________________________
Supreme Court Case/Year: Dartmouth College v. Woordward (1819)
Block _____
Chief Justice: John Marshall
Background: (Brief description of facts)

Dartmouth College, a private institution, was originally chartered by King George III of England.

In 1816, the New Hampshire state legislature attempted to alter the college's charter to make it
a public institution, which was opposed by the college's trustees, including William H.
Woodward.

Woodward sued the college's president, John Wheelock, challenging the constitutionality of the
state's actions.
Constitutional Issue(s): (What part of the Constitution is being addressed by this case)

The primary issue was whether the state's actions violated the Contract Clause of the U.S.
Constitution, which prohibits states from impairing the obligation of contracts.

It raised questions about whether a royal charter was considered a contract and whether states
could unilaterally change the terms of such contracts.
Court Decision(s): (Explain the decision of the court)

The Court ruled in favor of Dartmouth College, declaring that the original royal charter was
indeed a contract, and the state's attempt to change it without the college's consent violated
the Contract Clause.

This decision upheld the sanctity of contracts and limited the states' power to alter or impair
private contracts.
Legal Impact of Decision (Precedent):

Dartmouth College v. Woodward had a significant impact on contract law and the relationship
between states and private institutions.

It reinforced the notion that state legislatures cannot unilaterally interfere with private
contracts, particularly charters, and established a precedent for the protection of private
institutions from state interference.

This decision contributed to the development of corporate law and contract law in the United
States.
Name______________________________
Supreme Court Case/Year: McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
Block _____
Chief Justice: John Marshall
Background: (Brief description of facts)

The Second Bank of the United States was established by the federal government.

Maryland, seeking to tax the bank to protect its own state-chartered banks, imposed a tax on
the bank's operation. James McCulloch, a bank cashier, refused to pay the tax on behalf of the
bank.

The case revolved around whether a state had the authority to tax a federal institution.
Constitutional Issue(s): (What part of the Constitution is being addressed by this case)

The primary issue was whether the state of Maryland had the power to tax the federal bank.

This case also raised the broader question of the extent of the federal government's implied
powers, specifically whether the bank was a constitutional exercise of Congress's power to
"make all laws which shall be necessary and proper" for carrying out its enumerated powers, as
stated in the Necessary and Proper Clause.
Court Decision(s): (Explain the decision of the court)

The Court ruled in favor of McCulloch and the federal government, asserting that the state of
Maryland could not tax the federal bank.

Chief Justice Marshall famously stated that "the power to tax involves the power to destroy."

The decision also upheld the idea of implied powers, stating that the bank was a constitutional
means to carry out federal powers, as authorized by the Necessary and Proper Clause.
Legal Impact of Decision (Precedent):

McCulloch v. Maryland had a profound impact on the balance of power between the federal
government and the states.

It affirmed the federal government's implied powers, established the supremacy of federal law
over state law, and limited the states' ability to interfere with federal institutions or functions.

The case set a precedent for the broad interpretation of the Necessary and Proper Clause,
expanding the federal government's authority to carry out its enumerated powers.
Name______________________________
Supreme Court Case/Year: Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)
Block _____
Chief Justice: John Marshall
Background: (Brief description of facts)

The case involved a dispute over steamboat navigation on the Hudson River between New York
and New Jersey.

New York granted a monopoly to Aaron Ogden to operate steamboats on that river, while
Thomas Gibbons, who held a federal coasting license, operated his steamboats in competition
with Ogden.

The case raised questions about the extent of federal authority over interstate commerce.
Constitutional Issue(s): (What part of the Constitution is being addressed by this case)

The central issue was whether the state of New York could regulate interstate commerce by
granting a monopoly, or whether the federal government's authority over interstate commerce
under the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution was supreme.
Court Decision(s): (Explain the decision of the court)

The Court ruled in favor of Thomas Gibbons, asserting that New York's grant of a monopoly to
Ogden violated the federal government's authority over interstate commerce.

The decision confirmed the federal government's power to regulate and control interstate trade
and navigation, ensuring uniformity and preventing state interference in matters of commerce.
Legal Impact of Decision (Precedent):

Gibbons v. Ogden established an important precedent in affirming the federal government's
authority over interstate commerce.

It emphasized the supremacy of federal law in matters involving commerce between states and
reinforced the federal government's role in regulating and overseeing such commerce.

This case played a significant role in shaping the interpretation of the Commerce Clause, which
continues to influence federal regulation of interstate trade and transportation to this day.