What was established by the Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison?

The Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison, decided in 1803, established the principle of judicial review. This principle allows the Supreme Court to review acts of Congress and determine whether they are consistent with the Constitution. If an act is found to be unconstitutional, the Court has the authority to nullify it.

Judicial review is a cornerstone of the American legal system, ensuring that the judiciary can serve as a check on the powers of the legislative and executive branches. This case reinforced the role of the Supreme Court as a co-equal branch of government, alongside the executive and legislative branches.

The other options, while significant principles in the context of American government, do not stem from this particular case. For instance, federal supremacy pertains to the supremacy clause of the Constitution, separation of powers involves dividing government responsibilities among various branches, and checks and balances relate to the system designed to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power. Marbury v. Madison specifically addressed the authority of the judiciary, making judicial review the focus of its legacy.