1. Marbury v. Madison (1803):
- Established the principle of judicial review, giving the Supreme Court the authority to declare laws unconstitutional.
- Affirmed the supremacy of the federal Constitution over state laws and actions.
2. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819):
- Upheld the federal government's implied powers under the Necessary and Proper Clause of the Constitution.
- Declared that federal laws took precedence over conflicting state laws, reinforcing the principle of federal supremacy.
3. Gibbons v. Ogden (1824):
- Broadly interpreted the Commerce Clause, establishing the federal government's exclusive power to regulate interstate commerce.
- Curtailed states' authority to regulate interstate commerce, thereby expanding national power.
4. Fletcher v. Peck (1810):
- Recognized the sanctity of contracts, protecting private property rights against state interference.
- Limited states' ability to impair contracts, ensuring national economic stability.
5. Dartmouth College v. Woodward (1819):
- Affirmed the inviolability of contracts, extending protection to corporate charters granted by state governments.
- Prevented states from altering or modifying such charters without the consent of the entities involved.
Through these decisions, Chief Justice Marshall established the supremacy of the federal government, curbed the power of state governments to undermine national laws and policies, and strengthened the authority of the Supreme Court as the ultimate arbiter of constitutional disputes. These decisions set precedents that significantly contributed to the expanding role of the federal government in American governance.