1. Marbury v. Madison (Appointed fed. Judge by Pres. Adams night before Adams left office) (Sec. of State for Jefferson) (1803) Background –“Midnight Judge” Marbury asked Supreme Court to order Madison to deliver his commission as a federal judge (according to the Judiciary Act of 1789) Constitutional Issue –The Judiciary Act of 1789 added the power of the writ of mandamus (a court order requiring a gov’t official to carry out his duty) to the original powers in the Constitution

2. Marbury v. Madison Decision –Judiciary Act of 1789 was unconstitutional because it added types of original jurisdiction for the Supreme Court that were not given to the SC in the Constitution Importance –Supreme Court established the precedent of JUDICIAL REVIEW – the power of the court to declare a law unconstitutional

3. Fletcher v. Peck (1810) Background: Georgia legislature was involved in a corrupt land deal. A new GA legislature revoked the sale of the land. Mr. Peck bought land from original company and sold it to Mr. Fletcher. Mr. Fletcher wanted his contract with Mr. Peck to be declared null & void and his money returned because Mr. Peck did not have clear title to the land when it was sold.

4. Fletcher v. Peck Issue: –Can a contract be cancelled by a new law passed by the legislature? Decision –Original land sale was legal (even though the legislature was corrupt). Cannot cancel the sale ex post facto ! (after the fact) Importance: States cannot pass a law impairing the terms of a contract Supreme Court declared a state law unconstitutional

5. Dartmouth College v. Woodward (1819) Background –Dartmouth was originally chartered as a private college –In 1816, the State of New Hampshire passed a law converting it to a state-run college Constitutional Issue –Did the N.H. law violate the Constitutional provisions protecting private property and the legality of contracts?

6. Dartmouth College v. Woodward Decision –Actions of N.H. legislature were unconstitutional. The charter was considered to be a contract and could not be broken by the state Importance –Supreme Court reversed the decision of the state court. –It guaranteed the protection of contracts from government actions

7. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) Background –Maryland imposed a tax on the Bank of the US branch office in Maryland in an attempt to force the BUS out of business in Maryland Constitutional Issue –Was the BUS properly created through the use of the elastic clause? –Can the state tax a federal agency like the BUS?

8. McCulloch v. Maryland Decision –Upheld the Constitutionality of the BUS –Ruled the states cannot tax the federal government because “the power to tax is the power to destroy” Importance –↑ power of the national gov’t through use of elastic clause –Limited power of states

9. Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) Background –2 men operating competing steamboats in the waters between NY & NJ –Ogden – exclusive license by NY –Gibbons – license from federal gov’t Constitutional Issue –Could NY authorize exclusive rights to the waters between NY & NJ?

10. Gibbons v. Ogden Decision –Operation of steamboats was interstate commerce; Congress (not states), regulates interstate commerce Importance –Defined interstate commerce to include transportation (eventually railroads, airlines, trucking companies) –Expanded role of federal gov’t

11. Worcester v. Georgia (1832) Background –2 missionaries refused to obey the Georgia law requiring all whites living in Cherokee territory to obtain a license. Constitutional Issue –Can the state pass laws concerning the Indian Nations or are the Indian Nations sovereign (have right to make their own decisions)? GO TO PG. 9 IN STUDY PACKET…

12. Worcester v. Georgia Decision –The state has no power to pass any laws affecting the Cherokees because it was federal jurisdiction Importance –Established tribal autonomy (sovereignty) within their boundaries –Pres. Jackson disagreed, refused to enforce this decision; –Cherokees won case but later were removed from land by state of Georgia…“Trail of Tears”