Summary At the end of his term as President, John Adams made William Marbury a justice of the peace in the District of Columbia. Then, after Adam's term, Thomas Jefferson was elected. Jefferson refused to recognize Marbury as a justice of the peace. The usual occurrence in a case such as this was to give the appointee a commission or notice. This duty was normally carried out by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State at the time, James Madison, refused to give Marbury the commission at the order of President Jefferson. Consequentially, Marbury sued and the case went to the Supreme Court.
Chief Justice of the time, John Marshall, made a decision on the matter based on the Constitution. He claimed that the Judiciary Act of 1789, which gave the practice of delivering such commissions was unconstitutional, thus illegal and void. The decision was delivered on February 24, 1803. |
Nationalism Start of a practice known as judicial review. This review allows the Supreme Court to make decisions based on what is stated in the Constitution. This event signifies nationalism because the power of the judicial branch was greatly enhanced.
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