The Legacy of John Marshall
The Judicial Branch
Marbury Vs Madison
Fletcher vs. Peck
Martin Vs Hunter's Lesse
Cohens Vs Virgina
1821,The Cohen brothers proceeded to sell D.C. lottery tickets in the Commonwealth of Virginia, violating state law of not allowing lotteries. They were convicted and fined, so they appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that their conduct was protected by the Act of Congress authorizing the D.C. lottery. The court adopts the "Expansive View," stating that the court has appellate jurisdiction over anything arising under the Constitution regardless of who the parties are.
Dartmouth College Vs Woodward
1816, New Hampshire legislature tried to change Dartmouth College into a state university. The legislature transferred the control of trustee appointments to the governor. In an attempt to regain authority over the resources of Dartmouth College, the old trustees filed suit against William H. Woodward, who sided with the new appointees. The Court held that the College's corporate charter qualified as a contract between private parties, with which the legislature could not interfere.
McCulloch Vs Maryland
created the first national bank for the country in 1791. Maryland attempted to close the Baltimore branch of the national bank by passing a law that forced all banks that were created outside of the state to pay a yearly tax. James McCulloch, a branch employee, refused to pay the tax and was sued by the state of Maryland because they had the right to tax any business. The Supreme Court determined that Congress has implied powers that allow it to create a national bank, even though the Constitution does not explicitly state that power, and that Maryland’s taxing of its branches was unconstitutional.