Lesson 2 - Marbury v Madison

The decision in Marbury v. Madison was significant in U.S. history because it —

• reinforced federal authority over American Indian affairs

• confirmed the power of Congress to regulate interstate commerce

• established the practice of judicial review by the Supreme Court

• upheld the power of the Electoral College to choose the vice president

The power of judicial review vested in the Supreme Court gives them the ability to --

• review laws passed by Congress or actions of the President & declare them unconstitutional.

• review the Constitution and make laws.

• veto laws passed by Congress.

• impeach a president or member of Congress for doing something unconstitutional.

What was John Marshall's job in 1800, during Adams' Presidency?

• Secretary of Defense

• Secretary of State

• Chief Justice

• Chief of Staff

Why might John Marshall have had a conflict of interest in the Marbury v Madison case?

• Both Marbury and Marshall were Democratic Republicans

• Marshall and Madison were friends from the war

• Marshall was responsible for not delivering the commission

• Marshall had been bribed by William Marbury

What do they mean by lame-duck period?

• Politicians turn into ducks when they lose an election

• The period of time between an election, and inauguration

• Politicians suffer injuries when they lose elections

• When a president is a different party from his vice-president

In the Marbury v. Madison case, why couldn't Chief Justice Marshall just force Madison to deliver the commission?

• There was no legal standing to support such a decision

• Marshall would have been accused of bias/ conflict of interest, the Supreme Court was too weak to force the President's hand

• The Legislative branch would have opposed Marshall's decision

• The other justices in the Supreme Court did not agree with Marshall

When Marshall set the precedent of Judicial Review, what impact did this have on the US government?

• It created an imbalance of power, disrupting the system of checks and balances

• It helped balance the power, the Supreme Court had been weaker than the other branches

• It made the Supreme Court more powerful than both the other branches of government

• It left loopholes open, allowing the Executive Branch to become the most powerful

What was James Madison's role in government during Jefferson's Presidency?

• Secretary of War

• Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

• Speaker of the House

• Secretary of State