John Marshall Biography

John Marshall was an enormous influence on the American Court system in the early 1800’s. He redefined the powers of each branch of government in his major court cases which were the building blocks for the new developing nation of America. His influence on America began with his early life, his time as the Chief Justice of the supreme court, and the effects of his decisions in some of the most important court cases in American history. His decisions shaped the future of Americas judicial system and made it into a successful third branch of government.

John Marshall's life began in 1755 in Virginia with a political family, and was cousins with Thomas Jefferson. He learned politics from being present at local courts for cases, and from studying the law with George Wythe who was a well known lawyer in Virginia. After partaking in the defending of America in the Revolutionary War, Marshall became loyal to the Union and a great lawyer in Virginia in 1779. Attention was drawn to Marshall after the XYZ affair in which he was seen as a hero for standing up to the French. After his name started to gain popularity, he was elected into the Virginia assembly and helped to defend the United States Constitution and authorize the constitution in Virginia. He was voted into Congress in 1799 and supported President John Adams and the Federalist Party. He was then selected by John Adams to fill the position of Secretary of State in 1801, shortly before assuming the position of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

After John Adams lost the presidential campaign in 1800, he quickly chose John Marshall for Chief Justice before his term expired. Although he was appointed in 1801, he did not meet with his Court until 1803 when the Judiciary Act was repealed. John Marshall altered the tradition of the court from the traditional ways of Britain and set it apart to create the United States' exclusive judicial system. This old tradition of multiple judges giving decisions on cases was changed to just one judge or justice giving their opinion on an