What is the significance of Marbury v. Madison (1803)?

The significance of Marbury v. Madison (1803) lies in its establishment of the principle of judicial review, which empowered the Supreme Court to declare laws and actions of Congress and the executive branch unconstitutional. This case set a foundational precedent in American law, emphasizing the judiciary's role in interpreting the Constitution and ensuring that no law contradicts it.

Through this landmark decision, Chief Justice John Marshall articulated the importance of an independent judiciary, asserting that it is the duty of the courts to uphold the Constitution as the supreme law of the land. This ruling fortified the checks and balances within the government, enabling the judiciary to serve as a crucial check on legislative and executive power. As a result, judicial review became a fundamental aspect of the American legal system, shaping the development of constitutional law and the relationship between the different branches of government.

The other options refer to significant historical developments in American history but do not pertain to the essence of Marbury v. Madison. Ending segregation in public schools relates to Brown v. Board of Education, granting women the right to vote pertains to the 19th Amendment, and repealing the Prohibition Amendment concerns the 21st Amendment. None of these are connected to the foundational legal principle established in the Marbury