Marshall's pen wrote power: declaring laws unconstitutional, wielding it over states and feds, forging the Court into a guardian of Constitution, its power etched in every word.
Out of the options you provided, the correct ways John Marshall strengthened the judicial branch are:
- He established the Supreme Court as the interpreter of the Constitution: This refers to the concept of judicial review, established in the landmark case of Marbury v. Madison (1803). Marshall asserted the right of the Court to declare laws unconstitutional, giving it significant power over the legislative and executive branches.
- He established that state and federal laws be reviewed by the Supreme Court: This further expanded the Court's power, making it the ultimate arbiter of legal conflicts between states and the federal government. Marshall's decisions in cases like McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) strengthened the federal government's authority over economic and taxation matters.
Therefore, by establishing judicial review and asserting the Court's authority over both state and federal laws, John Marshall significantly increased the power and influence of the judicial branch within the American government.
The other options you listed are incorrect:
- He did not increase the number of justices on the Supreme Court.
- He did not approve the appointment of Supreme Court justices by the president. This is a power granted to the Senate.
- He did not support the nullification of federal laws by state governments. This concept, championed by John C. Calhoun, conflicted with Marshall's vision of a strong federal government.
Q- In what two ways did John Marshall strengthen the judicial branch?
Responses
- He established the Supreme Court as the interpreter of the Constitution.
- He increased the number of justices serving on the Supreme Court.
- He approved the appointment of Supreme Court justices by the president.
- He established that state and federal laws be reviewed by the Supreme Court.
- He supported the nullification of federal laws by state governments.