1. Marbury v. Madison
Issue: Marbury sued over a judgeship promised him by an outgoing president.
Ruling: Established the principal of Judicial Review; strengthening the power of the Supreme Court =

2. Gibbons v. Ogden
Issue: Shipping rights on the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey
Ruling: The federal government controls interstate shipping, not individual states

3. McCulloch v. Maryland
Issue: Does the state have the power to tax the federal government?
Ruling: Reinforced the power of the federal government over the state. The National Bank operates under the “necessary and proper” clause of the Constitution.

4. Worcester v. Georgia
Issue: Georgia state government said any U.S. citizen who wanted to enter Cherokee territory had to obtain permission from the governor
Ruling: Georgia state law was overturned, because the federal government had the constitutionally mandated role of regulating trade with the tribes

5. Scott v. Sanford
Issue: Dred Scott sued for his freedom because his master lived in Illinois a free state.
Ruling: 1) African Americans were not citizens. 2) The federal government had no power to regulate slavery.