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  • The Judicial Branch
    • The Supreme Court of the United States
    • The Administrative Office of the Courts
    • The Federal Judicial Center
    • Landmark Supreme Court Cases
    • The Role of the Chief Justice
    • United States District Courts
    • United States Courts of Appeals
    • Supreme Court
    • Flow of the Federal Courts
    • Three-Judge Panels
  • Explore the Eras
    • Affirming Judicial Independence (1801-1835)
    • Incorporating Rights (1953-1969)
  • Hometowns Program
  • Supreme Court Historical Society

Federalism

7 results
  • Joseph Story

    Life Story

    The poet-at-heart who became the youngest Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and a leading Constitutional scholar whose work continues to influence modern interpretations of law.

  • John Marshall

    Life Story

    The soldier, attorney, and American statesman who became the longest serving Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

  • Fletcher v. Peck

    Significant Case

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

  • Cohens v. Virginia

    Significant Case

    The Supreme Court's opinion that clarified its appellate jurisdiction over state laws.

  • Bushrod Washington

    Life Story

    A learned judge whose tireless pursuit of legal knowledge was the keystone of his judgments as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court

  • Barron v. Baltimore

    Significant Case

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

  • Affirming Judicial Independence

    Era

    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.

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  • Civil Rights

  • Compromise of 1850

    Judicial Review

  • Marshall Court House of Representatives

    Rule of Law

  • Separation of Powers

  • Voting