Which case confirmed the courts' power to declare laws unconstitutional?

Which case confirmed the courts' power to declare laws unconstitutional?

• A. Judicial Review
• B. Oliver Ellsworth Plan
• C. Marbury v. Madison
• D. U.S. v. Holmes

Answer: (C)

The case that confirmed the courts' power to declare laws unconstitutional is Marbury v. Madison. This landmark 1803 decision established the principle of judicial review, which allows the Supreme Court and other courts to examine the constitutionality of legislative acts and executive actions. In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that it had the authority to review acts of Congress and determine whether they were in conflict with the Constitution. The ruling underscored the role of the judiciary as a vital check on the other branches of government, ensuring that no law could contravene the Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land. This foundational decision has had a lasting impact on the balance of power among the branches of government and the enforcement of constitutional governance. Other options do not pertain directly to the establishment of judicial review or the power to declare laws unconstitutional in the same way. For instance, "Judicial Review" is a broader term and concept rather than a specific case, while "Oliver Ellsworth Plan" and "U.S. v. Holmes" do not relate to the foundation of judicial review in the same historical context.

The case that confirmed the courts' power to declare laws unconstitutional is Marbury v. Madison. This landmark 1803 decision established the principle of judicial review, which allows the Supreme Court and other courts to examine the constitutionality of legislative acts and executive actions.

In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that it had the authority to review acts of Congress and determine whether they were in conflict with the Constitution. The ruling underscored the role of the judiciary as a vital check on the other branches of government, ensuring that no law could contravene the Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land. This foundational decision has had a lasting impact on the balance of power among the branches of government and the enforcement of constitutional governance.

Other options do not pertain directly to the establishment of judicial review or the power to declare laws unconstitutional in the same way. For instance, "Judicial Review" is a broader term and concept rather than a specific case, while "Oliver Ellsworth Plan" and "U.S. v. Holmes" do not relate to the foundation of judicial review in the same historical context.