State Actions Subject to Judicial Review

Main body

In 1795, the Georgia legislature sold - at very low rates - extensive territory that now comprises much of Alabama and Mississippi.  When a later Georgia legislature rescinded the "Yazoo land scandal" sales, buyers and subsequent purchasers challenged that action.

In the 1810 case of Fletcher v. Peck, the U.S. Supreme Court sustained the challenge, thereby extending the doctrine of judicial review to state actions.  Interestingly, Massachusetts investor John Peck was represented in his appeal by then-Senator John Quincy Adams, the first future president to argue a case before the nation's highest tribunal.
 

Students

Test your knowledge of this case by taking a short quiz after watching the video.

Teachers

Visit our LiveBinder to view lesson plans, classroom resources, and current events related to the issues in this case.