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What is the Supreme Court? What Was It?

John Parker

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The Supreme Court was created by the Constitution in 1789. The original court consisted of six justices, but the number has since been increased to nine. The justices are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. They serve for life, unless they are impeached and removed from office.

The Supreme Court first met in 1790. Its early decisions were mostly concerned with interpreting the Constitution and establishing the powers of the federal government. However, the Court's role has expanded over time. In the 19th century, the Court played a major role in the abolition of slavery and the expansion of civil rights. In the 20th century, the Court upheld the New Deal and expanded the rights of criminal defendants.

The Supreme Court has three main powers:

What Is the Supreme Court? (What Was?)

by Brie Wetherby

4 out of 5

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Original jurisdiction - The Court has original jurisdiction over a few types of cases, including cases involving ambassadors and other foreign officials, and cases between two or more states.
Appellate jurisdiction - The Court has appellate jurisdiction over most other cases. This means that the Court can review decisions made by lower courts.
Power of judicial review - The Court has the power to declare laws unconstitutional. This power is known as judicial review.

The power of judicial review is one of the most important powers of the Supreme Court. It allows the Court to ensure that the government does not violate the Constitution. The Court has used this power to strike down many laws, including laws that discriminate on the basis of race, religion, or gender.

The Supreme Court has had a profound impact on American history. Its decisions have shaped the course of the nation, and they continue to do so today. The Court's decisions have affected everything from the abolition of slavery to the expansion of civil rights to the regulation of the economy.

The Supreme Court is a powerful institution, but it is also a political one. The justices are appointed by the president, and they often reflect the president's political views. As a result, the Court's decisions can be controversial. However, the Court's decisions are also binding on the entire nation. This means that the Court's decisions have a real impact on the lives of all Americans.

The Supreme Court of the United States is a powerful and important institution. It has the power to interpret the Constitution and to overturn laws that it finds to be unconstitutional. The Court's decisions have shaped the course of American history, and they continue to do so today.

What Is the Supreme Court? (What Was?)

by Brie Wetherby

4 out of 5