The Supreme Court

Although I previously learned some information about the Supreme Court in high school, I feel like I still didn’t fully understand the history and workings of SCOTUS. After reading this article from the History Channel, I was able to learn many more interesting facts and get a better understanding of what the Supreme Court actually is. The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the nation and plays a vital role in the interpretation of the Constitution and the application of the law. Established in 1789 by the Judiciary Act, the Supreme Court is made up of nine justices, the Chief Justice of the United States, and eight Associate Justices. They are appointed by the President and confirmed or denied by the Senate. The justices serve for life, which ensures their independence, and fairness, and also insulates them from potential political pressures. 

The Supreme Court's main responsibilities are to interpret law while defending the Constitution, resolve disputes between the federal government and the states, as well as between individuals or organizations, review appeals from lower courts, protect individual rights, and serve as a critical check on the power of other branches of government. These roles help to ensure that the country’s laws and policies are consistent with the Constitution and that individual liberties are protected. One thing I found surprising that I did not know before was that the Supreme Court does not have the power to create laws itself. However, it does have the power to strike down laws that violate the Constitution.

While reading the article as well as doing some additional research, I learned that the Supreme Court's decisions have had a profound impact on American society and have shaped the course of our country's history. Some of the most significant cases in Supreme Court history include Brown v. Board of Education, which declared segregation in public schools to be unconstitutional, and Roe v. Wade, which established a woman's right to choose to have an abortion. 

The Supreme Court also plays a critical role in the balance of power between the three branches of government. The court can declare executive orders and laws passed by Congress to be unconstitutional, which can limit the power of the President and Congress. From the video, I learned that John Marshall, the nation’s fourth chief justice, played an important role in this and is well known for his contributions towards a more modernized U.S. government. During his years as the chief of justice, John Marshall worked to establish the power and prestige of the Judiciary body, in hope of claiming equal balance and status with Congress and the Executive branch. 

The Supreme Court is an essential institution in the American government and serves as the final arbiter of legal disputes in the country. Its decisions have had a profound impact on American society and have shaped the course of the nation's history. The court's independence, lifetime appointments, and commitment to the principles of judicial review and stare decisis ensure that it remains a critical check on the power of the other branches of government.