APUSH Court Cases

Marbury v. Madison

1803 -John Marshall- First asserted the right of the Supreme Court to determine the meaning of the U.S. Constitution. The decision established the Court's power of judicial review over acts of Congress.

Mcculloch v. Maryland

1819 -John Marshall- Supreme Court decision that established the supremacy of the national government over state governments. Decided that the federal government has the right to create a national bank.

Fletcher v. Peck

1810 -John Marshall- Supreme Court case which protected property rights and asserted the right to invalidate state laws in conflict with the Constitution

Dartmouth v. Woodworth

1819 -John Marshall- When New Hampshire tries to take over Dartmouth College, the Supreme Court reaffirmed that the government could not break contracts.

Gibbons v. Ogden

1824 -John Marshall- Supreme court established that regulating interstate commerce is a power reserved to the federal government.

Charles River Bridge v. Warren Bridge

1837 -Taney- Supreme Court establishes that the interest of community are above corporate rights case settled a dispute over the constitutional clause regarding obligation of contract.

Johnson v. McIntosh

1823 -John Marshall- Established that Indian tribes had rights to tribal lands that preceded all other American law; only the federal government could take land from the tribes.

Cherokee Nation v. Georgia

1831 -John Marshall- Ruled that the Cherokees had a right to their lands, but they were domestic dependent nation. Could not sue in a United States court over Georgia's voiding their right to self-rule.

Worcester v. Georgia

1832 -John Marshall- Supreme Court case in which it ruled that the Cherokee tribe was its own nation (inside Georgia) and deserved protection from harassment.

Scott v. Sanford

1857 -Taney- Ruled that Dred Scott was not a citizen and had no standing in court. Congress had no right to limit where property(slavery) is taken. Voided the Missouri Compromise of 1820.

Ex Parte Milligan

1866 -Taney- Supreme Court ruled that military trials of civilians were illegal unless the civil courts are inoperative or the region is under marshall law.

Wabash, St. Louis, and Pacific Railway v. Illinois

1886 -Declared state-passed Granger laws that regulated interstate commerce unconstitutional.

Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad Company v. Minnesota

1890 -Supreme Court established that Granger laws violated the right to property protected under the fifth amendment.

Pullock v. The Farmer's Loan and Trust

1895 -Supreme Court case against farmers.

Munn v. Illinois

1882 -Involved right of state of Illinois to regulate the charges and services of Chicago warehouses. Supreme Court upheld the right of government to regulate the business operations of a firm.