Dartmouth College V. Woodward Case Study

The U.S Supreme Court reversed the state court decision on Dartmouth College V. Woodward case in 1819 regarding a violation of the contract clause. The college trustees claimed the state of New Hampshire passed legislative acts which favored Republicans giving them control over the college, ultimately turning Dartmouth College into a public institution. The college trustees argued this was a violation of the original contract created by King George III the founder of Dartmouth College. According to Mason and Stephenson, Jr (2012), “The U. S Supreme Court questioned; (1) Is this contract protected by the constitution of the United States? (2) Is it impaired by the acts under which the defendants hold?” pp.321. The U.S Supreme Court ruled the acts passed by the state of New Hampshire were unconstitutional as it violated article 1 Section 10 of the constitution.

Woodward influenced private business contracts today, as state’s and the national government are prohibited from imposing legislature that interferes with a person’s inalienable rights protected by the constitution unless it promotes the health, safety, and general welfare of the