John Marshall Cases

John Marshall

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court who served from 1801 to 1835 and established the principles of American constitutional law.

Marbury v. Madison

The 1803 case that established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to examine and invalidate legislation or executive actions that contradict the Constitution.

Fletcher v. Peck

The 1810 case where the Supreme Court ruled that a state could not invalidate a contract, thus affirming the sanctity of contracts.

Martin v. Hunter's Lease

The 1816 case that asserted the Supreme Court's authority to review state court decisions involving federal laws.

Dartmouth College v. Woodward

The 1819 case where the Supreme Court ruled that the state could not alter a private contract, reasserting property rights.

McCulloch v. Maryland

The 1819 case that concluded states could not tax federal institutions, affirming federal supremacy.

Cohens v. Virginia

The 1821 case that upheld a state conviction but established that the Supreme Court could review state court decisions pertaining to federal powers.

Gibbons v. Ogden

The 1824 case clarifying that only Congress has the authority to regulate interstate commerce.

Worcester v. Georgia

The 1832 case ruling that Native American tribes were separate nations and could not be governed by state laws.

Supremacy Clause

The constitutional provision stating that federal law takes precedence over state laws.

Elastic Clause

The clause in the Constitution that allows Congress to pass laws necessary and proper for carrying out its powers.

Property Rights

The legal rights to possess, use, and dispose of property, which Marshall's rulings often protected.

Federalism

The system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.

Thomas Jefferson

The 3rd President of the United States and a political rival of John Marshall, with differing views on the role of the federal government.

Democratic-Republicans

A political party founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison which opposed the Federalists and favored states' rights.

Contracts

Legally enforceable agreements between parties, which Marshall's decisions clarified regarding state intervention.