

Before he left office, John Adams appointed a man named William Marbury, who happened to be a Federalist, to the position of justice of the peace for the District of Columbia.

It’s not too important to know the outcome, or even the details, of this case, but I will briefly talk about what happened. He is considered by many to be one of the greatest Supreme Court Justices in American history because his decisions have shaped the role of the government and the judicial branch into what they are today. His Federalist ideals greatly influenced the decisions he made. During his time as Chief Justice, he increased the power of the federal government, helped promote business, and stimulated the economy through several landmark decisions. A staunch Federalist, Marshall believed in a strong central government and opposed states’ rights. Who was John Marshall?Īppointed by his cousin President John Adams, John Marshall was the fourth Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, ruling from 1801 to 1835.

Have you heard of John Marshall? Do you know what his views were and how he molded the government into what it is today through landmark court cases? If you answered “no” to those questions, then this APUSH exam review is for you! This quick crash course will cover John Marshall and the important APUSH court cases you need to know.
