03/25/2026

The Marshall Court is named after Chief Justice John Marshall.
- Appointed by President John Adams.
- Served until the 1830s, marking a lengthy and influential career.
- Important for establishing the Supreme Court as a coequal branch alongside the presidency and Congress.
During the early 1800s, few Supreme Court rulings occurred post Marbury v. Madison; however, the 1810s and 1820s saw a few landmark decisions aimed at:
- Increasing federal power over the states.
- Regulating the economy.
- Protecting business interests and property rights.
- Promoting commerce due to early industrialization and economic expansion.

Fletcher v. Peck (1810)
- Central theme: Contracts.
- Established the principle that once a contract is agreed upon and signed, it is binding unless proven illegal.
- Addresses issues of fairness in negotiations and potential breaches of contract.
Dartmouth College v. Woodward
- Similar to Fletcher v. Peck, this case reinforced the contract's sanctity and the obligation to uphold agreed terms.
McCulloch v. Maryland
- Focused on the constitutionality of the Bank of the United States and state taxation of it.
- Maryland attempted to impose a tax on a federal bank branch; the bank's leadership contested this.
- Ruling solidified Congress's implied powers, supported by the necessary and proper clause, allowing the federal government to establish a national bank.
- Established that states cannot tax federal institutions, confirming the federal government’s authority over states.
Cohen v. Virginia
- Affirmed the Supreme Court's ability to review state court decisions.
- Confirmed that federal authority extends to overriding state court decisions when necessary.
Gibbons v. Ogden
- Established Congress's authority to regulate interstate commerce.
- Involved a licensing issue regarding ferryboat operators; confirmed federal regulations over interstate business activities.

Focus on Andrew Jackson’s election in 1828, marking significant democratic developments:
- The 1824 election was the first with a popular vote in many states.
- Jackson won the popular vote but lost the electoral college, leading to a decision by the House of Representatives, which elected John Quincy Adams (with support from Henry Clay).
- Jackson campaigned for four years, promoting universal white male suffrage, eventually leading to his electoral victory in 1828.
Jackson's presidency sought to represent the average American citizen, focusing on:
- Issues involving Native Americans and expansion westward.
- Opposition to the Bank of the United States.
- Management of the Nullification Crisis related to tariffs.

Involves the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands to new territories designated as Indian Territory (modern-day Oklahoma).
Five Civilized Tribes (Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole) were affected by these policies.
The federal government engaged in treaties and offered financial incentives for tribes to relocate; many tribes, especially the Cherokee, resisted these measures.
- The removal policy facilitated expanding land for cotton farming in the southern states.

Jackson vs. the Bank of the United States:
- The bank's charter was initially established in the late 1790s.
- Jackson viewed the bank as corrupt and unconstitutional, rejecting the idea of a quasi-private institution controlling government funds.
- He advocated for a decentralized banking system with more regional banks, leading to instability in banking post-BUS downfall.

Rooted in opposition to tariffs imposed by the federal government, perceived as detrimental to southern economy:
- Southern states, particularly South Carolina, advocated for state rights to nullify federal laws.
- The Tariff of Abominations raised concerns over economic independence and reciprocal tariffs from foreign nations, impacting cotton exports.
Jackson opposed nullification, insisting on federal supremacy and unity over state rights. He enacted:
- The Force Bill, allowing military intervention to enforce tariff collection when South Carolina refused to comply.
- Congressional discussions to lower tariffs to appease southern states, leading to a resolution without bloodshed.

Jackson is portrayed as a populist yet controversial leader:
- Promoted himself as a champion of the common man while enforcing policies detrimental to Native Americans.
- His presidency experienced internal conflict over banking and regional issues versus national unity.
Jackson was involved in duels and faced an assassination attempt during his presidency, showcasing a volatile persona in American politics.

Early industrialization and the establishment of infrastructure were beginning trends. The federal government began introducing regulations at local levels.
While universal suffrage was limited to white males in the 1820s, movements towards wider voting rights began emerging.
The concept of referenda began to gain popularity, allowing citizens to vote directly on legislative measures, thus enhancing democratic participation.
Important historical notes include the Missouri Compromise and the Adams-Onís Treaty of 1819, expanding U.S. territories and shaping national politics.
The period was characterized by significant transformations toward democratization and national identity, driven by expansion, industrialization, and questions of governance and civil rights.