Final answer:
John Marshall played a crucial role in American federalism as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, most notably through establishing judicial review in Marbury v. Madison, thereby reinforcing federal authority.
Step-by-step explanation:
John Marshall is important in the history of American federalism for his role as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, where he authored many decisions that confirmed broad powers for the federal government. His most notable contribution was establishing the principle of judicial review in the landmark case Marbury v. Madison (1803), which affirmed the court's authority to nullify congressional acts that conflicted with the Constitution. This principle significantly strengthened the influence and independence of the judiciary and reinforced the supremacy of federal law over state laws, thereby fostering a more unified national government.