The Supreme Court of the United States under John Marshall and the competence of federal authorities (McCulloch v. Maryland)

The purpose of the article is to present the activities of the Supreme Court of the U.S. in the context of the development of the first phase of Americandual federalism (1789–1865), specifically considering the Supreme Court under John Marshall’s judicature. Particular emphasis is placed upon the powers of the federal and state planes of government, and the limitations upon these powers. Under the leadership of Chief Justice John Marshall, the SupremeCourt established its role as the interpreter of constitutional questions (Marbury v. Madison). The Court continued to reinforce its position as a nationalarbiter in McCulloch v. Maryland, where it was discussed the question of the national government’s preeminence. The Supreme Court embraced the “implied powers doctrine”, assuming that many of the national powers of government were implied by the language of Articles I and VI of the Constitution. The Court under Marshall in the early years of the republic set two standards, namely “judicial review” and a strong national government.