How Well Do You Know About the Judiciary Act of 1789? Check Quiz Questions with Answer and facts

The year is 1789. The ink on the United States Constitution is still fresh, but the nation is in a state of flux. The framers had created a new government with three branches, legislative, executive, and judicial, but they left the details of the judicial branch largely to Congress. How would the court system be structured? What powers would it have? The answers to these crucial questions came in the form of a landmark piece of legislation: the Judiciary Act of 1789.

This act was more than just a law; it was the blueprint for the entire federal court system we know today. It established the Supreme Court, created a network of lower federal courts, and defined the jurisdiction of each of these courts. It laid the foundation for the balance of power between the federal government and the states.

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The Judiciary Act Quiz

Let’s see how much you know about this pivotal moment in American legal history. This quiz will test your knowledge of the key provisions, historical context, and lasting impact.

Question 1: Who was the first Chief Justice of the United States appointed after the passage of the Judiciary Act of 1789?

a) Thomas Jefferson

b) Alexander Hamilton

c) John Jay

d) James Madison

Answer: c) John Jay

Explanation: John Jay was a Founding Father and a co-author of the Federalist Papers. President George Washington nominated him to be the first Chief Justice, and he was confirmed by the Senate. He served from 1789 to 1795, laying the groundwork for the Supreme Court's procedures and early decisions.

Question 2: The Judiciary Act of 1789 established a three-tiered federal court system.Which of the following courts was NOT created by this act?

a) The Supreme Court

b) Circuit Courts

c) District Courts

d) State Supreme Courts

Answer: d) State Supreme Courts

Explanation: The Judiciary Act of 1789 established the federal court system, not the state court systems. It created the Supreme Court, a network of circuit courts, and a district court in each state. State courts were already in existence and operated under the laws of their respective states.

Question 3: How many justices were originally on the Supreme Court, as established by the Judiciary Act of 1789?

a) 5

b) 6

c) 7

d) 9

Answer: b) 6

Explanation: The act initially set the number of Supreme Court justices at six: one Chief Justice and five Associate Justices. This number has changed several times throughout history, most notably increasing to nine in 1869, where it has remained ever since.

Question 4: One of the most controversial sections of the Judiciary Act was Section 25. What power did this section give the Supreme Court?

a) The power to declare laws unconstitutional (judicial review)

b) The power to hear appeals from state courts in certain cases

c) The power to impeach federal judges

d) The power to veto presidential appointments

Answer: b) The power to hear appeals from state courts in certain cases

Explanation: Section 25 of the act allowed the Supreme Court to review and reverse decisions of the highest state courts when those decisions involved federal laws or the Constitution. This was a crucial step in ensuring the supremacy of federal law and creating a uniform legal system across the country.

Question 5: The Judiciary Act of 1789 is often credited with creating the first federal prosecutors and marshals. What was their primary function?

a) To draft new laws for Congress

b) To enforce federal laws and maintain order

c) To serve as legal counsel for the president

d) To oversee the printing of new currency

Answer: b) To enforce federal laws and maintain order

Explanation: The act established the offices of the U.S. Attorney and U.S. Marshal for each judicial district. U.S. Attorneys prosecuted federal crimes, while U.S. Marshals acted as the executive arm of the federal courts, carrying out their orders and ensuring the peace. This created a powerful federal law enforcement presence for the first time.

Question 6: Which President signed the Judiciary Act of 1789 into law?

a) John Adams

b) George Washington

c) Thomas Jefferson

d) James Madison

Answer: b) George Washington

Explanation: President George Washington signed the Judiciary Act of 1789 into law on September 24, 1789. It was one of the first major pieces of legislation to be passed by the newly formed Congress under the Constitution.

Question 7: The Judiciary Act of 1789 established the "circuit riding" system. What did this mean for Supreme Court justices?

a) They had to travel between different states to hear cases

b) They had to take a horse-drawn carriage to the Supreme Court building

c) They had to serve on both the Supreme Court and a lower circuit court

d) They had to patrol the nation's borders to enforce federal law

Answer: c) They had to serve on both the Supreme Court and a lower circuit court

Explanation: To save money and ensure federal law was being applied correctly across the country, the act required Supreme Court justices to "ride the circuit." This meant they had to travel twice a year to different regions to preside over circuit court cases alongside district judges. It was a physically demanding duty that was eventually abolished.

Question 8: The Judiciary Act of 1789 was seen as a compromise between which two political factions of the time?

a) Federalists and Anti-Federalists

b) Whigs and Democrats

c) Republicans and Democrats

d) Federalists and Republicans

Answer: a) Federalists and Anti-Federalists

Explanation: Federalists, who supported a strong central government, wanted a powerful federal court system. Anti-Federalists, who were wary of federal power, wanted the states to retain more authority over their own laws. The Judiciary Act of 1789 was a compromise, establishing a federal court system but also allowing state courts to handle many cases.

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Question 9: The act of 1789 is considered the first major test of the new government's power. Its passage demonstrated what key principle?

a) That the President had more power than Congress

b) That the Supreme Court could declare laws unconstitutional

c) That the legislative branch could successfully organize the federal government

d) That the states had the ultimate authority over the federal government

Answer: c) That the legislative branch could successfully organize the federal government

Explanation: The Judiciary Act of 1789 proved that Congress could use its power to create the framework for a functioning federal government. It showed that the new Constitution was not just a theoretical document but a practical guide for building a stable and effective nation.

Question 10: The Judiciary Act of 1789 did not explicitly grant the Supreme Court the power of "judicial review". When did the Supreme Court first assert this power?

a) In the Judiciary Act of 1801

b) In the McCulloch v. Maryland case

c) In the Marbury v. Madison case

d) It was never asserted, as the power is not in the Constitution

Answer: c) In the Marbury v. Madison case

Explanation: While many believe the Judiciary Act of 1789 intended for the Supreme Court to have this power, it wasn't officially asserted until the landmark case of Marbury v. Madison in 1803. In his opinion, Chief Justice John Marshall declared a section of the Judiciary Act of 1789 unconstitutional, thereby establishing the principle of judicial review.