What was the significance of the Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison?

The Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison, decided in 1803, is significant because it established the principle of judicial review, which allows the Supreme Court to declare an act of Congress or a state law unconstitutional. This case arose when William Marbury petitioned the Supreme Court to compel Secretary of State James Madison to deliver his commission as a justice of the peace. Chief Justice John Marshall, in delivering the opinion of the Court, asserted that while Marbury had a right to his commission, the specific provision of the Judiciary Act of 1789 that allowed Marbury to bring his claim to the Supreme Court was itself unconstitutional.

By declaring that a law passed by Congress was in conflict with the Constitution, the Court positioned itself as a critical arbiter of constitutional interpretation. This dramatically expanded the power of the judiciary and established a foundational principle that maintains the balance of power among the three branches of government—executive, legislative, and judicial. The ruling set a precedent that has enabled the judiciary to uphold the rule of law and protect individual rights against potential governmental overreach.

The other options are not correct as they do not accurately reflect the main outcome of the case. For instance, the case did not primarily deal with congressional power or the rights of