Final answer:
The Marbury v. Madison decision established the principle of judicial review, giving the Supreme Court the power to invalidate federal or state legislation it found unconstitutional. This decision strengthened the federal government's role and contributed to the development of federalism by establishing a balance of power between the national government and the states.
Step-by-step explanation:
The decision in Marbury v. Madison significantly impacted the development of federalism by establishing the principle of judicial review. This landmark case underscored the Supreme Court's role as the arbiter of constitutional interpretation, enabling it to review and invalidate legislation it found contrary to the Constitution. This power reinforced the balance of power among the branches of government and bolstered federal authority over state laws and actions.
In 1803, Chief Justice John Marshall delivered the opinion of the Court that found that although William Marbury had a right to his commission, the Supreme Court did not have the authority to issue a writ of mandamus due to the unconstitutionality of such action according to Article III of the Constitution. By striking down part of the Judiciary Act of 1789, the decision established the Court's power to review acts of Congress and the executive, maintaining that the Court could act as a check on legislative and executive actions when necessary. This ability to declare federal and state laws unconstitutional strengthened the federal government, lending to a more powerful, central national government.