Question

In 3–4 sentences, answer:

Why is Marbury v. Madison considered one of the most important Supreme Court cases in U.S. history?

Answer 1

Marbury v. Madison (1803), decided by Chief Justice John Marshall, is considered pivotal because it established the principle of judicial review — the Supreme Court’s authority to declare acts of Congress and the executive unconstitutional. By asserting this power, the Court became a coequal branch of government with a key check on the other branches. The ruling fundamentally shaped the balance of power in the U.S. federal system and set the precedent for constitutional interpretation that guides American law to this day.