Marbury v. Madison (1803)
Political Cartoon Analysis

Analyze the cartoon below in terms of its meaning related to the Marbury v. Madison case.
  1. What do you see in the cartoon? Make a list. Include objects, people, and any characteristics that seem to be exaggerated.
     
  2. Which of the items on the list from Question 1 are symbols? What does each symbol stand for?
     
  3. What is happening in the cartoon?
     
  4. What is the cartoonist's message?
     
  5. Do you agree or disagree with the message? Explain your answer.

Cartoon

Resources
About landmarkcases.org
 
Teaching Recommendations
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Background Summary
and Questions

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Diagram of How the Case Moved Through the Court System
 
Key Excerpts from the Majority Opinion
 
Full Text of the Majority Opinion
 
The Reasons We Should Still Care About the Decision, and The Lingering Questions It Left Behind

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Activities
    The Case
Introductory Scenario: Who Should Decide?
 
The Power of the Judicial Branch: The Federalist Number 78 and the Anti-Federalist
 

Using Documents to Decide the Outcome: The Constitution and the Judiciary Act of 1789  
 

Thomas Jefferson's Reaction
 
Political Cartoon Analysis
 

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    After the Case
Chief Justice John Marshall's Legacy
 

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