Main Idea: As leader of the Supreme Court, John Marshall helped decide how powerful the federal government would be.
9. John Marshall was a Federalist and chief justice of the Supreme Court. Under
Marshall's leadership, the Supreme Court issued an important decision in the case of
Marbury v. Madison. Why was Marshall's decision in the case important?

Marshall's legal skill further reinforced the national government's power over the states. The Supreme Court's decision in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), upholding the constitutionality of the national bank, broadly interpreted the “necessary and proper” clause of Article 1, section 8 of the Constitution. On February 24, 1803, the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice John Marshall, decides the landmark case of William Marbury versus James Madison, Secretary of State of the United States and confirms the legal principle of judicial review—the ability of the Supreme Court to limit Congressional power by declaring ... Over the course of his 34-year term as chief justice, Marshall delivered more than 1,000 decisions and penned more than 500 opinions. He played a pivotal role in determining the Supreme Court's role in federal government, establishing it as the ultimate authority in interpreting the Constitution.