Powers of the Federal Courts

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GED Social Studies › Powers of the Federal Courts

Questions 1 - 3
1

The idea that the Supreme Court should play a prominent role in determining the direction of national policy is called __________.

judicial activism

judicial review

judicial aggression

judicial restraint

judicial nonchalance

Explanation

The term Judicial Activism, or Judicial Intervention, is used to describe the belief that the Supreme Court should take an active and promiment role in shaping American national policies. It is the antonym of judicial restraint, which suggests that the Supreme Court should limit its attempts to intervene in shaping national policies.

2

The Supreme Court Case Marbury v. Madison __________

established the power of Judicial Review.

overturned Plessy v. Ferguson.

legalized abortion in the United States.

gave Congress undisputed power to regulate interstate commerce.

established the Presidential line of succession.

Explanation

The Supreme Court case, Marbury v. Madison (1803) is the most important of the early Supreme Court cases. It established the power of Judicial Review, which states that the Supreme Court has the right to declare an act of Congress unconstitutional. It greatly expanded the power of the infant Judicial Branch and further entrenched the doctrine of checks and balances that is at the heart of the American political system.

3

Judicial Review allows the Supreme Court to _________________.

declare an act of Congress as unconstitutional

approve appointments to the President’s cabinet

authorize the impeachment of a President

oversee elections and campaigns

overrule a precedent established by a previous Court

Explanation

Judicial Review is one of the more important powers of the Supreme Court and the Judicial Branch of the United States government. It was established in the Supreme Court case of Marbury v. Madison, in 1803. It allows the Supreme Court to declare an act of Congress unconstitutional, giving the Judicial Branch the ability to check the power of the Legislative Branch.

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