The Marshall Court

The Marshall Court

The Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Marshall from 1801 to 1835.

Federal Supremacy

The principle that federal law takes precedence over state law.

States' Rights

The political powers held for the state governments rather than the federal government.

John Marshall

Chief Justice of the United States from 1801 to 1835, known for his role in establishing the principles of American constitutional law.

Main Debate

The central conflict during the Marshall Court regarding the balance of power between the federal government and the states.

Marbury v. Madison

Established the principle of Judicial review.

Judicial review

The Supreme Court's authority to interpret laws and determine their constitutionality.

Supreme Court interpretation

The ability of the Supreme Court to interpret laws passed by state or federal government.

Federal government

The national level of government in the United States.

State government

The government at the state level in the United States.

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the powers of the others.

Judicial Review

The power of the Supreme Court to examine laws and actions of the legislative and executive branches to determine their constitutionality.

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

Supreme Court

The highest federal court in the United States, which has the ultimate authority in interpreting the Constitution.

Executive Branch

The branch of government responsible for implementing and enforcing laws; headed by the President.

Legislative Branch

The branch of government responsible for making laws, consisting of the Congress of the United States.

Judicial Branch

The branch of government that interprets laws, consisting of the Supreme Court and lower federal courts.

McCulloch v. Maryland

A landmark Supreme Court case from 1819 that established the federal government's ability to create a national bank.

Elastic Clause

A provision in the U.S. Constitution that grants Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the enumerated list of powers.

Federal Supremacy

The principle that federal law takes precedence over state law.

Can states tax the national bank?

No, states cannot tax the national bank as established by the McCulloch v. Maryland ruling.

Who controls trade between states?

The federal government controls trade between states.

Interstate commerce

Trade activities that cross state lines, regulated by the federal government.

What did the court rule regarding interstate commerce?

The court ruled that the constitution grants the federal government the right to regulate commerce among the states.

Precedent regarding federal law and state law

Established the principle that when federal law conflicts with state law, federal law prevails.