Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Introduction

• Marbury v. Madison is a key Supreme Court case required for the AP Government curriculum.
• It's considered one of the most significant cases in Supreme Court history due to its establishment of judicial review.

Background

• Political Context:
  • The first political parties in the U.S. were the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans.
  • In the election of 1800, Federalist President John Adams lost to Democratic-Republican Thomas Jefferson.
• Adams' Strategy:
  • To weaken Democratic-Republican power, Adams filled the judiciary with Federalist judges before leaving office.
  • Many commissions were signed by Adams but some were undelivered when Jefferson took office.
  • Jefferson ordered his Secretary of State to leave these commissions undelivered.

The Case

• Plaintiff: William Marbury, a would-be judge who did not receive his commission.
• Defendant: James Madison, Jefferson’s Secretary of State.
• Legal Action: Marbury sued Madison in the Supreme Court requesting a writ of mandamus (a court order to fulfill legal obligations).

Constitutional Principles

• Jurisdiction Clauses: Article III of the Constitution outlines the judicial branch's power and jurisdiction.
  • Original Jurisdiction: Supreme Court hears a case first.
  • Appellate Jurisdiction: Supreme Court hears appeals from lower courts.
• Relevant Article III Conditions: Supreme Court's original jurisdiction only covers cases involving ambassadors or states.

Supreme Court Deliberation

• Chief Justice John Marshall's Three Questions:
  1. Does Marbury have a legal right to his commission?
  2. Is a writ of mandamus the correct legal remedy?
  3. Does the court have the authority to grant the writ?
• Decisions:
  • Question 1: Yes, Marbury had a right to his commission.
  • Question 2: Yes, a writ of mandamus would be the proper legal means.
  • Question 3: No, the court does not have the authority to grant it.

Key Outcome

• The Judiciary Act of 1789’s Article 13 conflicted with Article III of the Constitution regarding original jurisdiction.
• Marshall's Decision: Article 13, which allowed writs of mandamus, was declared unconstitutional.
• Impact: This case established the Supreme Court’s power of judicial review, making it the final interpreter of the Constitution.

Significance

• Judicial Review: The court gained authority to strike down or uphold laws based on their constitutionality.
• Legacy: Set a precedent for the Supreme Court's role in checking legislative and executive powers.

Conclusion

• Marbury v. Madison reinforced the judiciary as a co-equal branch of government with the power to interpret the Constitution.
• Watching additional resources or reviewing summary materials can reinforce understanding of this landmark case.