FREE ESSAY ON JOHN MARSHAL

JOHN MARSHAL

Blake Zuckerman
Period 1 History
Did the Supreme Court Under John Marshal have a significant impact on American history?
John Marshall was born in 1755. He was the 4th chief justice of the U.S Supreme Court of
Virginia for 34 years. (http://www.encyclopedia.com/articles/08102.html) He was a
federalist who believed that the U.S should have a powerful central government. Marshall
defended the U.S. constitution, and did not trust the Jeffersonians because he felt it
was his duty to protect the government. Many of his conclusions and decisions were drawn
from three major cases, which were: Fletcher vs. Peck, Marbury vs. Madison and McCulloch
vs. Maryland. (http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/B/jmarshal/marsh.htm) He had a great impact on
getting the people to respect the Supreme Court, which later gave him the nickname Great
Chief Justice. He had a great positive impact on the Supreme Court, but mostly on the
judicial system. (http://history1700s.about…/aa022198.htm?iam=ask&terms=) Below I
will describe any significant information needed about John Marshall and about some of
the major cases.
The case Marbury vs. Madison was brought to attention by William Marbury. He ordered
James Madison to give him his commission as justice of the peace. (Madison was the
secretary of the state at the time.) In this case Marshall favored Marbury. Marshall
argued that the court might rule an act of congress unenforceable if the act goes against
the constitution. From this Marshall made the Doctrine of Judicial Power.
(http://history1700s.about…/aa022198.htm?iam=ask&terms=)
One of the significant cases Marshall dealt with was the case of McCulloch vs. Maryland.
That case occurred in 1819, and showed that Marshall could use the constitution wisely
and to his advantage. It is about how Maryland tried to force the Bank of the United
States out of its territory by taxing it. Marshall favored McCulloch and backed him up
with the statement that "no state had the right to hinder or control any national
institution established within its borders" (quote from article III of the Articles of
Confederation). (http://www.encyclopedia.com/) From this, Marshall established the
doctrine of judicial view. (www.law.cornell.edu) The constitution was very helpful in
supporting the federal government for Marshall.
There was also the famous case, of Fletcher vs. Peck in 1810. In this Marshall made the
law that states that the Constitution protects against interference from the states. This
case was the first time that the court declared a state law unconstitutional. (World Book
Encyclopedia, book 13, pg. 230)
In conclusion I think I think Marshall made a very significant impact on American society
while under the Supreme Court. There were many more things that he did to change our
country. Some of those helped build freedom of speech, criminal law, civil rights, and
many more. Marshall helped make what our country is today. I doubt anyone can look at
what he did over his 34 years as a Chief Justice and say he didn't make a great impact on
American history.
Bibliography
1. http://www.encyclopedia.com/articles/08102.html (March 1, 2000)
2. http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/B/jmarshal/marsh.htm (March 1, 2000)
3. http://history1700s.about…/aa022198.htm?iam=ask&terms=) (March 1, 2000)
4. http://www.apva.org/apva/john.html (March 1, 2000)
5. www.encyclopedia.com (March 1, 2000)