Marbury v. Madison Case Study

What is considered one of the most important cases in the history of the Supreme Court, decided in 1803?

• Dred Scott v. Sandford

• Plessy v. Ferguson

• Marbury v. Madison

• Roe v. Wade

Who defeated John Adams in the 1800 presidential election?

• George Washington

• Thomas Jefferson

• James Madison

• Alexander Hamilton

Just before leaving office, President John Adams appointed judges from which political party?

• Democratic-Republican

• Whig

• Federalist

• Republican

What was the final step required for the newly appointed judges to take office, which was not completed before President Jefferson took over?

• Senate confirmation

• Presidential oath

• Delivery of commissions

• Public announcement

Upon taking office, what action did President Thomas Jefferson take regarding the undelivered judicial commissions?

• He ordered them delivered immediately.

• He appointed new judges.

• He instructed his Secretary of State not to deliver them.

• He sought advice from the Supreme Court.

Which prospective judge, a Federalist Party member from Maryland, brought the case to the Supreme Court?

• John Marshall

• James Madison

• William Marbury

• John Adams

What type of court order did William Marbury seek from the Supreme Court to compel the delivery of his commission?

• Writ of habeas corpus

• Writ of certiorari

• Writ of mandamus

• Injunction

In the Marbury v. Madison case, Chief Justice John Marshall ruled that William Marbury had the right to receive his commission and the right to a remedy. What was the third, crucial part of his decision?

• The Supreme Court had the power to order the commission delivered.

• The President had the right to withhold commissions.

• The Judiciary Act of 1789 was unconstitutional.

• Congress had to approve all future judicial appointments.

The ruling in Marbury v. Madison established which fundamental principle, allowing the Supreme Court to determine the constitutionality of laws?

• Executive privilege

• Stare decisis

• Judicial activism

• Judicial review

How did the Marbury v. Madison decision impact the role of the Supreme Court?

• It made the Supreme Court subservient to Congress.

• It limited the President's power to appoint judges.

• It established the Supreme Court as an equal and independent branch of government.

• It gave the Supreme Court the power to create new laws.