What landmark case established the principle of judicial review in the United States?

The principle of judicial review in the United States was established by the case of Marbury v. Madison. This 1803 Supreme Court case is significant because it affirmed the power of the judiciary to review and invalidate laws and actions that are contrary to the Constitution. In this decision, Chief Justice John Marshall articulated that it is the duty of the judicial branch to interpret the law, and if a law conflicts with the Constitution, that law is void.

The case arose from a political confrontation in which William Marbury petitioned the Supreme Court for a writ of mandamus to compel Secretary of State James Madison to deliver his commission as a Justice of the Peace. While the Court ultimately denied Marbury's request, it affected a greater shift in the balance of power among the branches of government by establishing that the Supreme Court had the authority to declare acts of Congress unconstitutional. This foundation solidified the role of the judiciary as a co-equal branch of government and is essential to the system of checks and balances outlined in the U.S. Constitution.