Supreme Court Reflection

Logo of the Supreme Court

     The Supreme Court of the United States is the most powerful Judicial authority in the Nation. Its influences do not come from  force or military but from the trust of the American people and as I saw in the video, having the goal to make decisions of what is best for the country. The Court serves as the final interpreter of the Constitution, ensuring that justice is applied fairly and that the balance of power among the three branches of Government is sustained.

    More then 200 years ago, John Marshall a lawyer from Virginia was appointed chief justice. His leadership resulted into the court becoming a coequal branch of government with real authority. In one of the most important moments in the Court's history, Marshall and his colleagues struck down a law passed by Congress, declaring it unconstitutional. This decision established the principal of judicial review, which allows the Supreme Court to design whether laws align with the Constitution. Marshall helped shape the relationship between Congress, the President and the Judiciary ensuring that no branch could dominate the government.

    However, not all of the Court's decisions have strengthened its reputation. One of the most infamous rulings in U.S History was the 1857 Dred Scott decision. This ruling stated how if you are African American, no matter any circumstances, you could not be a citizen of the United States. This went down as one of the worst decisions the Supreme Court has made, weakening Congress's authority, dividing the nation, and pushed the United States closer to the Civil War. This highlighted that the courts rulings could either unify or destabilize the country depending on how justice was interpreted.

    The Civil war and the reconstruction amendments to the Constitution ultimately overturned the Dred Scott decision. The thirteenth amendment abolished slavery, the fourteenth amendment granted citizenship to all people born in the United States, and the fifteenth amendment secured voting rights for African American men. In today's world, the Supreme court continues to play a crucial role in the United States Government. Each Justice meets regularly to discuss issues, debate their views, and vote on outcomes. In conclusion, the Supreme Court has played a defining role in shaping the united states.