Supreme Court Cases and Central Government Powers

Marbury v. Madison

1803, appointment of midnight justices by John Adams rejected by Jefferson, gave Court the power of judicial review

Fletcher v. Peck

1810, Georgia legislature cancelled contract that granted land to speculators as bribe, established principal that state laws are invalid when in conflict with the Constitution

Martin v. Hunter’s Lease

1816, Fairfax(loyalist) had land seized after War, confirmed the Supreme Court’s right to overrule a state court

McCulloch v. Maryland

1819, Maryland wanted to tax national bank, established implied powers

Darthmouth College v. Woodward

1819, State wanted to make Dartmouth public, established the principle that charters were contracts which couldn’t be impaired

Cohens v. Virginia

1821, State imprisoned people for illegally selling lottery, state courts must submit to federal jurisdiction, federal court has the right to judicial review of state Supreme decisions

Gibbons v Ogden

1824, State gave monopoly over NY waterways, gave the national governemnt undisputed control over interstate commerce