FGCU Civic Literacy Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Guide to Test Prep

The case of Marbury v. Madison, decided in 1803, is significant because it established the principle of judicial review, which empowers the courts to declare laws and actions of the executive and legislative branches unconstitutional. This landmark decision affirmed the judiciary's role as a co-equal branch of government, capable of checking the powers of the other branches. The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice John Marshall, held that it had the authority to review acts of Congress and determine their validity in relation to the Constitution. This case set a precedent for the judiciary's role in interpreting the law and ensuring that no law could supersede the Constitution, thereby reinforcing the judiciary's power within the framework of American governance.

Other options, while historically significant, do not primarily focus on reinforcing the power of the courts in the same way. Dred Scott v. Sandford, for instance, dealt with issues of slavery and citizenship but is often viewed as a case that failed to check governmental power justly. McCulloch v. Maryland emphasizes federal supremacy but does not centralize judicial power. Plessy v. Ferguson upheld state laws on racial segregation, further complicating rather than clarifying the role of the judiciary in civil rights issues. In contrast, Mar