What was the outcome of the Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison?

The Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison, decided in 1803, is significant because it established the principle of judicial review. This key outcome allowed the Supreme Court to invalidate laws and executive actions that it found to be unconstitutional, thereby affirming its role as a co-equal branch of government with the power to interpret the Constitution.

Judicial review is the process by which courts examine the actions of the legislative and executive branches and determine whether those actions conflict with the Constitution. In the Marbury case, Chief Justice John Marshall ruled that it was the duty of the judiciary to uphold the Constitution, marking a pivotal moment in the development of the American legal system. This ruling set a precedent that would empower the Supreme Court to check the other branches of government, reinforcing the system of checks and balances foundational to American democracy.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately reflect the outcome of this landmark case. While judicial review indeed has implications for the scope of federal power, it was not primarily about expanding that power directly. The ruling did not address issues of segregation laws or the revocation of individual state laws, as those topics evolved much later in American history and through different judicial cases.