Question

In 1-2 sentences, assess the Supreme Court decisions of Marbury v. Madison and McCulloch v. Maryland and the impact they had on understanding the Constitution.

Answer 1

Marbury v. Madison (1803) established judicial review, making the Supreme Court the final arbiter of the Constitution and thereby ensuring that laws and executive actions could be struck down if they conflicted with the Constitution. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) affirmed broad implied powers for Congress under the Necessary and Proper Clause and reinforced federal supremacy over the states, shaping a flexible, national–centered reading of the Constitution that expanded federal authority.