explain- why is the court case Marbury v Madison significant? How did it elevate the power of the Supreme court?
The court case Marbury v Madison is significant because it established the principle of judicial review, which elevated the power of the Supreme Court.
In 1801, just before President Thomas Jefferson took office, outgoing President John Adams appointed numerous judges and justices of the peace, one of whom was William Marbury. However, Marbury's appointment was not finalized before Jefferson assumed office, and his Secretary of State, James Madison, refused to deliver Marbury's commission. As a result, Marbury filed a lawsuit seeking a writ of mandamus from the Supreme Court, which would order Madison to deliver the commission.
In 1803, Chief Justice John Marshall, writing the majority opinion for the Supreme Court, ruled that Marbury did indeed have a right to his commission, as it had been properly appointed and approved. However, the court also declared that the specific section of the Judiciary Act of 1789, upon which Marbury based his claim, was unconstitutional. Therefore, the court concluded that it did not have the authority to issue the writ of mandamus in this case.
While the immediate outcome of the case was a defeat for Marbury, the decision in Marbury v Madison had profound implications for the future. It established the principle of judicial review, which grants the Supreme Court the power to review and invalidate laws or executive actions that it deems unconstitutional. This decision effectively gave the Supreme Court the power to interpret the Constitution and strike down any laws that violate its provisions.
By asserting its authority to review and invalidate laws, the Supreme Court gained a significant amount of power and became the final arbiter in disputes regarding the constitutionality of laws and government actions. This elevated the Court's role in the American political system, balancing the powers of the other branches of government and ensuring adherence to the Constitution. The precedent set by Marbury v Madison continues to shape American constitutional law and the power dynamics between the branches of government today.