John Marshall
Definition
John Marshall was the fourth Chief Justice of the United States (1801–1835). His court opinions helped lay the basis for American constitutional law and made the Supreme Court a center of power.
Analogy
Think of John Marshall as a star quarterback on a football team. Just as the quarterback plays a crucial role in leading his team to victory, Marshall played an instrumental role in shaping and defining American constitutional law.
Related terms
Judicial Review: The principle that allows courts to determine the constitutionality of legislative acts.
Federalism: A system where power is divided between national and state governments.
Constitutional Law: The body of law which defines the relationship of different entities within a state, namely, the executive, the legislature, and judiciary.
"John Marshall" appears in:
Study guides (2)
Practice Questions (1)
- What Supreme Court case did President Jackson allegedly respond to with, "John Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it"?
Resources
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