BACKGROUND
The conflict in Marbury v. Madison arose from which action taken at the end of President Adams’ term?
A. The ratification of the Judiciary Act of 1801 expanding the number of Supreme Court justices
B. The appointment of several Federalist judges during the final days of Adams’s presidency
C. The refusal of the Senate to confirm Jefferson’s cabinet nominees
D. The impeachment of Federalist judges by the Democratic-Republican Congress
B. The appointment of several Federalist judges "midnight judges" during the final days of Adams’s presidency
The constitutional question addressed in Marbury v. Madison was whether
A. Congress could impeach federal judges for political reasons
B. the Supreme Court had original jurisdiction over all federal cases
C. a writ of mandamus could be issued to force executive action
D. judicial appointments required Senate reconfirmation
C. a writ of mandamus could be issued to force executive action
What did the Supreme Court decide about William Marbury’s commission?
A. He was not legally entitled to it
B. He was entitled to it, but the Court could not enforce it
C. It was invalid because it lacked Senate approval
D. It had already expired
B. He was entitled to it, but the Court could not enforce it
The decision in Marbury v. Madison reflects which political belief held by the Federalists?
A. The federal government should have limited authority over the states
B. The judiciary should play an active role in interpreting the Constitution
C. Elected officials should have final authority over constitutional interpretation
D. The Constitution should be frequently amended to address political change
B. The judiciary should play an active role in interpreting the Constitution
Which part of the Constitution was most directly interpreted in Marbury v. Madison?
A. The Necessary and Proper Clause
B. The Supremacy Clause
C. Article III’s description of judicial powers
D. The Tenth Amendment
C. Article III’s description of judicial powers
In its ruling, the Supreme Court decided that
A. William Marbury was entitled to his commission, and the Court could enforce it
B. the Judiciary Act of 1801 was constitutional
C. Congress could expand the Court’s original jurisdiction
D. part of the Judiciary Act of 1789 was unconstitutional
D. part of the Judiciary Act of 1789 was unconstitutional
What role did James Madison have at the time of the case?
A. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
B. Speaker of the House
C. Secretary of State
D. Vice President
C. Secretary of State
Which of the following best explains how Marbury v. Madison strengthened the power of the judiciary?
A. It allowed the Court to appoint federal judges
B. It gave the Court the authority to review state court decisions
C. It asserted the Court’s ability to declare acts of Congress unconstitutional
D. It required executive officials to comply with all judicial orders
C. It asserted the Court’s ability to declare acts of Congress unconstitutional
Why did the Supreme Court say it could not issue a writ of mandamus in this case?
A. The president refused to follow Court orders
B. The case belonged in a lower federal court
C. The Constitution did not allow Congress to expand the Court’s original jurisdiction
D. The Judiciary Act of 1789 had been repealed
C. The Constitution did not allow Congress to expand the Court’s original jurisdiction
The significance of Marbury v. Madison lies in its establishment of
A. executive privilege
B. judicial review
C. legislative supremacy
D. judicial activism
B. judicial review