Question

What was the purpose of the Judiciary Act of 1789?

a. It created the state court system.
b. It created a federal court system.
c. It created the judicial branch.
d. It created the Supreme Court.

Answer 1

B. It created a federal court system.

Answer 2

The right answer is b. It created a federal court system.

Enacted on September 24, 1789, the Judiciary Act of 1789 (the “Act”) is one of the most important pieces of legislation Congress ever passed. The Act performed three functions. First, it clarified Article III of the United States Constitution by creating a hierarchical federal court system. Second, it declared the Supreme Court the final court to decide issues of federal law. Finally, it triggered Marbury v. Madison, 5 U.S. 137 (1803), an immensely important case that declared the Court’s authority to review congressional acts.