Question

Summarize the issue and decision in Marbury v. Madison and explain the decisions' significance.
Make sure you mention how this case changed our government and the function of the judicial branch.

Write in 3 sentences in a 7th grader response

Answer 1

In Marbury v. Madison (1803), William Marbury sued because he never got a government job he had been promised, and the question was whether the Supreme Court could force the new Secretary of State to deliver his job papers. Chief Justice John Marshall said Marbury had a right to the papers but the Court could not issue the order because the law that would have let it do that was unconstitutional. This case created "judicial review," which means the Supreme Court can decide if laws or actions break the Constitution, giving the courts a strong, equal role in checking the other branches of government.