Judicial review , a cornerstone of American constitutional law, has shaped the nation's legal landscape. From Marbury v. Madison to Citizens United , landmark cases have defined the Supreme Court's power to interpret the Constitution and strike down laws.
These rulings have tackled pivotal issues like slavery, civil rights , and presidential authority. They've expanded federal power , overturned segregation, and sparked debates on reproductive rights and campaign finance, illustrating the Court's profound impact on American society.
Foundational Cases in Judicial Review
Establishing Judicial Review and Federal Power
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Marbury v. Madison (1803) established the principle of judicial review
Supreme Court asserted its authority to review acts of Congress
Declared Judiciary Act of 1789 unconstitutional
Chief Justice John Marshall's landmark decision expanded Court's power
Set precedent for Court to interpret Constitution and strike down laws
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) affirmed federal supremacy over states
Upheld constitutionality of national bank
Established broad interpretation of Necessary and Proper Clause
Limited state power to tax federal institutions
Strengthened federal government's implied powers
Controversial Rulings on Slavery and Segregation
Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) denied citizenship to African Americans
Ruled enslaved people were not citizens and had no standing in federal court
Declared Missouri Compromise unconstitutional
Intensified sectional tensions leading to Civil War
Widely regarded as one of the worst Supreme Court decisions in history
Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) upheld racial segregation
Established "separate but equal " doctrine
Validated Jim Crow laws in Southern states
Legalized racial discrimination for nearly six decades
Overturned by Brown v. Board of Education in 1954
Civil Rights and Liberties
Landmark Decisions on Equality and Personal Freedom
Brown v. Board of Education (1954) overturned racial segregation in schools
Unanimously ruled "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal"
Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson's "separate but equal" doctrine
Catalyzed Civil Rights Movement
Led to desegregation of public facilities beyond education
Roe v. Wade (1973) established constitutional right to abortion
Ruled right to privacy under 14th Amendment extended to a woman's decision to have an abortion
Created trimester framework for regulating abortion
Sparked ongoing debates about reproductive rights and judicial activism
Overturned by Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization in 2022
Executive Power and Elections
Presidential Authority and Government Transparency
United States v. Nixon (1974) limited executive privilege
Ordered President Nixon to release Watergate tapes
Established limits on presidential claims of executive privilege
Affirmed judicial branch's role in checking executive power
Led to Nixon's resignation and impacted future claims of executive privilege
Controversial Electoral and Campaign Finance Rulings
Bush v. Gore (2000) decided presidential election outcome
Halted Florida recount in 2000 presidential election
Effectively decided election in favor of George W. Bush
Raised questions about Court's role in electoral process
Highlighted issues with Electoral College system
Citizens United v. FEC (2010) expanded corporate political spending
Struck down restrictions on corporate and union election spending
Ruled political spending constitutes protected speech under First Amendment
Allowed unlimited independent expenditures by corporations and unions
Sparked debates about campaign finance reform and corporate influence in politics