History of the Supreme Court

A 225-Year Legacy

Welcome to the Supreme Court Historical Society's CIVICS website which houses free, downloadable curriculum resources for educators, students, and life-long learners. Learn about the history and cases of the Supreme Court of the United States by historical era and gain insights into key figures associated with the Court. New eras will be launched each year.

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  • Affirming Judicial Independence

    1801-1835

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  • Circuit
  • John Marshall
  • Landmark Case
  • Women
Ex: John Marshall, Roe v. Wade, Ruth Bader Ginsburg
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  • Judicial Review
  • Rule of Law
  • Separation of Powers
Ex: Civil Rights, Voting, Free Speech

Travel Through Supreme Court History

Click on the links to dig deeper into historical eras, cases, people, and other resources.

1801
The Supreme Court affirmed the legitimacy of the Bank of the United States (depicted here as a large woman vomiting coins to state banks) when Maryland mounted a challenge in 1819. Library of Congress
1801–1835

Affirming Judicial Independence

Explore the Era
The Supreme Court affirmed the legitimacy of the Bank of the United States (depicted here as a large woman vomiting coins to state banks) when Maryland mounted a challenge in 1819. Library of Congress

Through a series of landmark decisions, the Justices of the Marshall Court affirmed the judicial independence of the federal courts, the authority of the Supreme Court, and ensured that the Judicial Branch was an equal branch of the federal government.

Yes
1810

Fletcher v. Peck

The first time the Supreme Court declared a state law unconstitutional and a formative decision interpreting the Commerce Clause.
1831

The Cherokee Nation Cases

The lawsuits that forced the examination of the relationship between law and politics, particularly with respect to the Supreme Court’s ability to enforce its judgment during the early years of the Republic.
Yes
1833 View More Cases

Barron v. Baltimore

John Marshall’s last opinion which addressed the existing parameters of federalism in relation to the states.

The longest-serving Chief Justice in U.S. history, John is greatly admired for his allegiance to the United States. He is revered for expertly guiding legal institutions to protect the United States as it grew and developed into a successful republic.

Riding the Circuit

The rather challenging additional responsibility held by Supreme Court Justices until the early 1900s.

The Role of Supreme Court Wives

The significant roles of Supreme Court wives during the early decades of the Court.

1803
Louisiana Territory is purchased from France for $15 million
1812
War of 1812 begins as U.S. declares war on Great Britain
1820
The Missouri Compromise was passed by Congress
1828
Andrew Jackson is elected President of the United States