Question

Explain - Why is the court case Marbury v Madison significant? How did it elevate the power of the Supreme Court?

use this sentence stem "The court case of Marbury v. Madison was significant because _________________. This specific case established ______________. This elevated the power of the Supreme Court by ________________."

Answer 1

The court case of Marbury v. Madison was significant because it firmly established the judiciary as an independent, co-equal branch of government with the authority to interpret the Constitution. This specific case established judicial review — the power of the Supreme Court (and federal courts) to declare statutes or executive actions unconstitutional. This elevated the power of the Supreme Court by giving it the final authority to nullify unconstitutional laws and acts, making the Court a crucial check on the legislative and executive branches (Decided by Chief Justice John Marshall in 1803).