This pivotal Supreme Court case, central to understanding American government, established the principle of judicial review. It arose from a dispute over appointments made by President John Adams at the end of his term. William Marbury, one of the appointees, petitioned the Supreme Court to compel Secretary of State James Madison to deliver his commission.
The significance of the ruling lies in its assertion that the Supreme Court has the authority to declare laws unconstitutional. This power is not explicitly stated in the Constitution but was implied by the Court’s interpretation. This firmly established the judiciary as a co-equal branch of the federal government, providing a check on the legislative and executive branches and influencing the balance of power within the government system. The historical context is crucial because it demonstrated the Court’s willingness to assert its authority early in the nation’s history, shaping its role in the decades and centuries that followed.