History of the Supreme Court
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
The Supreme Court announced for the first time the principle that a court may declare an act of Congress void if it is inconsistent with the Constitution.
PBS Background of case
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C-Span provides background and video discussion of case
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National Archives offers info and a primary document of the order for reference
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Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)
Decision upholding that blacks could not be U.S. citizens, exacerbated sectional tensions between North and South.
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of Dred Scott |
C-Span background and video
discussion about the case |
Library of Congress offers primary documents related to case
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