History of Europe

How did the judiciary act of 1801 affect jeffersons power over courts?

The Judiciary Act of 1801:

- Reduced the number of justices on the Supreme Court from six to five, thereby eliminating the Federalist majority.

- Eliminated the circuit courts and transferred their jurisdiction to the district courts.

- Created six new circuit judgeships, all of whom were appointed by Jefferson.

- Repealed the section of the Judiciary Act of 1789 that had given the Supreme Court the power to review the decisions of state courts.

The Judiciary Act of 1801 significantly reduced the power of the federal courts and increased the power of the President and Congress. It also marked the end of the Federalist Party as a major political force in the United States.