What major contribution is John Marshall known for?

What major contribution is John Marshall known for?

• A. Writing the Emancipation Proclamation
• B. Leading the Constitutional Convention
• C. Establishing the principle of judicial review
• D. Drafting the Federalist Papers

Answer: (C)

Judicial review—the power of the courts to interpret the Constitution and declare laws or government actions unconstitutional. John Marshall’s major contribution is establishing this principle for the U.S. Supreme Court. In the landmark Marbury v. Madison decision, he argued that the Constitution is the supreme law and that the judiciary has the duty and authority to interpret it. The ruling showed that the Court could strike down federal laws that conflict with the Constitution, effectively giving the judiciary a check on both the legislative and executive branches and shaping how power is balanced among the branches. That’s why this choice fits, while the other options reflect actions by other figures (for example, Lincoln issuing the Emancipation Proclamation, the Constitutional Convention led by various founders, and the Federalist Papers written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay).

Judicial review—the power of the courts to interpret the Constitution and declare laws or government actions unconstitutional. John Marshall’s major contribution is establishing this principle for the U.S. Supreme Court. In the landmark Marbury v. Madison decision, he argued that the Constitution is the supreme law and that the judiciary has the duty and authority to interpret it. The ruling showed that the Court could strike down federal laws that conflict with the Constitution, effectively giving the judiciary a check on both the legislative and executive branches and shaping how power is balanced among the branches.

That’s why this choice fits, while the other options reflect actions by other figures (for example, Lincoln issuing the Emancipation Proclamation, the Constitutional Convention led by various founders, and the Federalist Papers written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay).