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Question: 1 / 400

Which United States Supreme Court case established the power of judicial review?

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

The case that established the power of judicial review is Marbury v. Madison, decided in 1803. This landmark decision set the precedent that the Supreme Court has the authority to invalidate laws and executive actions that are found to be unconstitutional. This power of judicial review is essential for maintaining the system of checks and balances among the branches of government, ensuring that no law or action can supersede the Constitution.

In the context of Marbury v. Madison, the court articulated that it is "emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is." This statement underlines the judiciary's role in interpreting the law, which inherently includes the ability to nullify government actions that conflict with the Constitution.

This concept of judicial review has played a crucial role in American constitutional law, enabling the Supreme Court to serve as a guardian of the Constitution and protect individual rights against legislative and executive encroachments. The other options, while significant cases in their own right, relate to different aspects of law and civil rights and do not address the foundational principle of judicial review.

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Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)

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