Supreme Court Notes APUSH

The Supreme Court Overview

  • Highest court in the United States judicial system.

  • Established under the Judiciary Act of 1789.

  • Composed of 8 Associate Justices and 1 Chief Justice.

  • Primary interpreter of the Constitution with the power to declare laws unconstitutional, setting precedents such as Judicial Review.

  • Influential in American government since its inception.

Federalist Stronghold

  • John Adams and the "Midnight Judges":

    • Judiciary Act of 1801 introduced by a "lame-duck" Federalist Congress, creating 16 federal circuit court judgeships.

    • Aimed to retain Federalist control in the judiciary by appointing party supporters.

  • Election of 1800:

    • Thomas Jefferson defeated John Adams, marking a power shift from Federalists to Democratic-Republicans.

    • The election highlighted divisions within the Federalist Party, leading to its disorganization.

    • Adams appointed judges in the last hours of his presidency ("Midnight Judges"), but this was later repealed under Jefferson in 1802.

Marshall Courts

  • Period led by Chief Justice John Marshall, who significantly impacted the U.S. Supreme Court powers.

  • Strengthened federal government powers through key cases.

    • Key Cases:

      • Marbury v. Madison (1803)

      • Fletcher v. Peck (1810)

      • McCullock v. Maryland (1819)

      • Dartmouth College v. Woodward (1819)

      • Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

  • Key Contributions:

    • Established Judicial Review

    • Regulated Interstate Commerce

    • Protected Property Rights & Contracts

Judicial Review

  • Allows the Supreme Court to determine if laws are unconstitutional.

  • If found unconstitutional, a law is invalidated.

  • Ensures laws align with the Constitution, maintaining its status as the supreme law.

  • Became a precedent after Marbury v. Madison.

Landmark Cases

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

  • Established Judicial Review, empowering the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional.

  • Strengthened the judiciary’s role and balanced power in the U.S. government.

Fletcher v. Peck (1810)

  • Upheld contract sanctity against state interference.

  • First case where the Supreme Court struck down a state law as unconstitutional.

  • Strengthened property rights, promoting economic stability.

Dartmouth College v. Woodward (1819)

  • Reinforced the Contract Clause of the Constitution.

  • Court ruled that New Hampshire could not alter Dartmouth's charter.

  • Protected businesses and institutions from state interference, encouraging economic growth.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

  • Addressed federalism and the powers of government.

  • McCulloch refused to pay a state tax on the national bank; argued states couldn't tax federal entities.

  • Ruling confirmed Congress's power to create a national bank and that Maryland's laws couldn't undermine federal laws.

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

  • Addressed navigation rights and state vs. federal authority.

  • Confirmed Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce via the Commerce Clause.

  • Established that federal law supersedes state law on commercial regulation.