Why Is The Marbury V. Madison Case Important

The Marbury v. Madison case is an important Supreme Court landmark case in the United States history. In the 1800’s election the Federalists were in power and has the majority in Congress and John Adams won the presidential election. This changed due to the result of the next election, the anti-federalist party won, Thomas Jefferson became president and the Federalist party incumbents were about to lose their seats in Congress. To ensure that the Federalist Party had control over at least one branch of the government John Adams passed Judiciary Act of 1801. This act made the judicial branch of government have equal power to the Legislative and Executive branch. The only problem was the Judiciary Act was passed posthaste. John Adams was in his

However, due to the haste and the change in power John Marshall left office before delivering seventeen appointment, three of which were for the justices of peace

Infuriated by Adam’s resourceful appointments, Thomas Jefferson ordered the new secretary of state, James Madison, to not convey the remaining appointments left on his desk by Marshall. This made three justices of the peace, including William Marbury, seek the writ of mandamus. The writ of Mandamus is a court order to a lower officer of the government to execute their official assignments. The Writ of Mandamus was filed against James Madison to compel him to convey the appointments irrespective of the order from the President, Thomas Jefferson. The case was presented to the Supreme Court however, it was difficult to come to a ruling without overstepping the constitution guidelines. The Court was faced with some questions: which was if Marbury was appropriate for the position he was demanding to get if He did get the appointment how would grant him the

However, another reason the case was interesting because of Justice Marshall, he was the reason the case occurred in the first place and if he disregards the writ of mandamus, it will make the Supreme Court weak thereby increasing the strength of the Executive and Legislative branches of government. Although the court could not help Marbury get his appointment using the writ of mandamus it was able to enact a judicial review. This judicial review enacted by John Marshall had various effects. It helped integrate a balanced system of checks and balance of each branch of the government even with a separation of the power system in place. But these open a loophole for other branches to interpret the constitution using the excuse of checking and balancing the judicial system. Still, the case of Marbury V. Madison gave the Supreme Court power of judicial review and the idea that the Supreme Court was the overall authority over all matters pertaining to the constitution. Although, this review also suppressed the states’ power to review the