Lesson 25 of 84 · The Constitution
⭐ 30 XP🏛️ Civic SquareJudicial Review: Marbury v. Madison
Judicial review, established by the Supreme Court case Marbury v.
🎯 Your mission
Learn how the rule got made — and who it serves.
⚡ The twist
Laws change. Power changes who gets to change them.
Mind = Blown
🤯 Women in New Zealand could vote 27 years before women in the US.
Then & Now
🏛️ The rule you'll meet today is still on the books — sort of.
Judicial review, established by the Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison in 1803, is the principle that allows the judiciary to review and potentially invalidate legislative and executive actions that are found to be unconstitutional. This landmark decision arose from a political conflict during the transition of power from President John Adams to President Thomas Jefferson. Chief Justice John Marshall asserted that it is the duty of the judiciary to determine whether an act of Congress is in accord with the Constitution. This precedent has profoundly influenced the balance of power among the branches of government and reinforced the judiciary's role as a safeguard of constitutional principles.
Key Facts
Marbury v. Madison established the principle of judicial review.
The case was decided in 1803.
Chief Justice John Marshall played a key role in the decision.
Timeline
Martin Luther King Jr. gives the 'I Have a Dream' speech
The Civil Rights Act is signed
Astronauts land on the Moon
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 2What principle was established by the case Marbury v. Madison?
Why this still matters
Your school has rules. Where do they come from? Who decides them?
Stretch Challenge
Try this in real life this week.
Make up a fair rule for your family. Pitch it.
For the dinner table
“What's one rule at our house you'd change if you could vote on it?”
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