"It is emphatically the province and duty of the Judicial Department to say what the law is. Those who apply the rule to particular cases must, of necessity, expound and
interpret that rule. If two laws conflict with each other, the Courts must decide on the
operation of each. ... The judicial power of the United States is extended to all cases
arising under the Constitution. ... Thus, the particular phraseology of the Constitution of
the United States confirms and strengthens the principle, supposed to be essential to all
written Constitutions, that a law repugnant to the Constitution is void, and that courts, as
well as other departments, are bound by that instrument."
- John Marshall, 1803
Answer a and b below.
a. Briefly explain the significance of Marshall's decision in regard to national events at
the time.