1. Jeffersonian America
Marbury vs. Madison (1803)

2. Adams and the Midnight Judges – The Judiciary Act of 1801
John Adams used this act to appoint as many federalist judges as he could between the election of 1800 and Jefferson’s inauguration
Adams supposedly remained at his desk until well into the night signing the commissions of the “midnight” judges.
Packed the courts full of federalist judges who would serve for life
Adams also appointed a new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John Marshall, a cousin of Thomas Jefferson and a lifelong Federalist, committed to strengthening the federal government.

4. Marbury vs. madison
Jefferson told Secretary of State James Madison not to deliver Adams’ remaining judge commissions
One of the new judges (William Marbury) was angered & asked the Supreme Court to order Madison to deliver his comission
Marbury used the Judiciary Act of 1789 that set-up the court system as the basis of his lawsuit

5. Supreme Court’s Opinion
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall (appointed by former President John Adams) gave the court’s opinion
Opinion identified which cases the Court could hear directly & this was not one of them
The case should have first been heard in a lower court
Marshall ruled the Judiciary Act of 1789 was unconstitutional and void
Established judicial review
Judicial Review – reviewing decisions of other branches and deciding if it is constitutional

6. Quote inscribed on the wall of the Supreme Court building
- Washington, D.C.