Is it true that Chief Justice John Marshall had more influence on the nation than Jefferson?

Answer 1

Marshall, writing for the Court in the case of Marbury versus Madison, certainly set forth the power of judicial review and had the Court take that power unto itself, without it being a power assigned to it by Article Three of the Constitution. I believe that trumps Jefferson's authorship of the Declaration of Independence which is a revolutionary document, but did not set forth any method of governance.
BTW, one of Chief Justice Marshall's legacies is still in use today. In his will, he deeded to the Court one of his chairs. Since that time, every Chief Justice of the United States and every Associate Justice of the Supreme Court has sat in that chair during the investiture ceremony.

Answer 2

Marshall, although a powerful justice, did not achieve the amazing impact of Jefferson.

Jefferson not only authored the Declaration of Independence that created this country, but he was also key to:

-creating a public school system in the US
-creating land grants for higher education institutions
-the Louisiana Purchase which quadrupled the physical land owned by the United States
-commission Lewis and Clark to explore the new territory and to find the pacific ocean. This opened up the west to habitation and exploration like never before. Lewis & Clark also made some of the first accurate maps and descriptions of people, flora and fauna in the continent.
-solidified the powers of the office of president within a constitutional frame, and offered the tradition of no more than two consecutive presidential terms.
-established the University of Virgina
-was influencial in the style of neoclassical architecture

John Marshall's work while important does not have the same magnitude as Jefferson
-solidified the Supreme Court power in the decision of Marbury v. Madison. You could go as far to partially credit this decision to Jefferson, as it impacted the Jefferson administration. The argument was based on the objections of a post that was appointed by the previous Adams Administration in the final days. The appointment among MANY others was an attempt to preserve Federalist sway in Washington through bureaucratic means. Jefferson refused most of the appointments when he took office. One appointee, Mr. Marbury, contested the refusal. He sued the government. James Madison, being secretary of state, was named as the defendant. The case was taken to the Supreme Court. Marshall was the chief Justice. The ruling re-inforced Jefferson's powers as the President, and also placed the Supreme Court with the capability to declare laws made by Congress as unconstitutional. It was the first test of the checks and balances of the Constitution, ironically written by the defendant in the case.

So no, Jefferson's sway with the creation of the United States, his influence on the creation of the values of the republic, his influence on creating an ethos of equality through public education, as well as allowing for MAJOR western expansion without major warfare is just tremendous.

Jefferson was FAR more influencial on the nation and its future. Marshall is an important figure to be sure, but not to the same magnitude of Jefferson.

Answer 3

Hmmm....Well Chief Justice Marshall was in the great position of being able to interpret the law as he saw fit. So his impact on constitutional law is unparellelled. In his 6 most famous cases he put forth decisions that have held power since first issued. So in that regard he has had an enormus impact on the workings of the federal government . But Jefferson had impact on the workings prior to Marshall...in forming the declaration of independance, etc. and for his inventions, (the incandescent bulb is still the most popular one today)...so would I say that Marshall had more impact on the US...no, not at all.

Would I say that he had more impact on the interpretation of the laws set forth in the constitution...oh yeah.

Answer 4

~On the basis of Marbury v Madison alone, Marshall had more impact on American government than any 25 other men combined in American history to date, with the possible exception of Earl Warren. However, without the groundwork laid by Marshall, Earl Warren would have been powerless.