Final answer:
The US needed a national court system to uniformly enforce federal laws, settle disputes impartially, and ensure domestic tranquility by providing a singular legal framework for all to follow.
Step-by-step explanation:
Why Did the US Need a National Court System
The United States needed a national court system to ensure that federal laws were uniformly enforced across the states and to address disputes between states or between citizens of different states. Without a national judiciary, under the Articles of Confederation, states were essentially interpreting national laws on their own, often in ways that could conflict with each other or favor local interests. This lack of uniformity and central authority led to a fragmented legal system that was inefficient and often unfair, which could not adequately support the growing needs of the nation.
To address these issues, the Constitutional Convention saw the importance of a national judiciary, resulting in the creation of the Supreme Court through the Constitution, and later, the establishment of lower federal courts through the Judiciary Act of 1789. This federal court system assured a cohesive interpretation and application of federal laws and served to mediate inter-state disputes more impartially. The federal court system also reinforced the role of the Supreme Court as the ultimate authority on constitutional matters.
Additionally, establishing a national court system was seen as fundamental to preserving the rule of law and ensuring domestic tranquility across the United States, providing a singular legal framework under which all individuals, states, and institutions would operate. This reinforced the legal maxim "Equal Justice Under Law", as inscribed on the Supreme Court building, reflecting the nation's commitment to a fair and unified judicial process.