Final answer:
Marbury v. Madison established the principle of judicial review, authorizing the Supreme Court to nullify unconstitutional laws and actions by the legislative and executive branches.
Step-by-step explanation:
The case of Marbury v. Madison, decided in 1803, was a landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court that established the principle of judicial review. This principle gives the Supreme Court the authority to review and invalidate laws and actions of Congress and the executive branch if they are found to be unconstitutional.
In the Marbury case, Chief Justice John Marshall found that the Judiciary Act of 1789 had expanded the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court beyond what the Constitution allowed, rendering the Act unconstitutional.
Although William Marbury did not receive his commission, the case significantly strengthened the judiciary by solidifying its role as the arbiter of constitutional interpretation.