The Founding Era: Reflection Questions on The U.S. Supreme Court

    The Supreme Court is the most powerful branch of government in the United States. They hold the power to check over all the other branches of government to ensure that the other branches do not overstep their roles. The Supreme Court enforces and interprets the precedent to maintain laws to protect American citizen's rights. Examples of these precedents are the Bill of Rights, Amendments, and the Constitution. Through watching the film about the history of the Supreme Court, I have gathered an understanding about the standards, purpose, and influence that the Supreme Court has in the United States.

One thing that I learn about the Supreme Court that I did not know was that the Supreme Court was not always respected and accepted by the American people. It was not until John Marshall was appointed as chief justice, The Supreme Court started to gain trust by the American people to protect them from their rights being violated by the government. His influence upon the Supreme Court is still practiced in the present day, specifically his decision on the case of Marbury V. Madison helped establish the process of Judicial review to maintain the court’s power.

The most important take-away was about the process of how the nine justices handle cases and determine their decisions for each case. I was really surprised about how much work that justices have to do just to make a decision in cases.

First, the court receives thousands of cases by petition for writ of certiorari. Then the justices choose over 80 cases to hear for oral arguments, and these cases are carefully considered in order to be picked.

I love how the nine justices set standards among themselves to allow everyone to speak before speaking a second time showing that they value each other's opinions. I did not know that it took multiple weeks for the Supreme Court to come to a decision, I thought that the decision took months since it is difficult to even get cases picked by the Supreme Court.

I also was surprised that the justices had to write opinion writings that were essays about 80 pages long, detailing each justice’s opinion on each case. After watching this video, I respect the justices more because I knew that being a Supreme Court chief justice was difficult but the idea of writing essays for the rest of your life sound exhausting. Also, your decision will have impacting huge millions of people, or someone's life is terrifying.

The most surprising thing I learned was the rule of four and the concept of negative v. positive rights. First, justices have to agree to review the case given and the decision from the lower court. Then at least four justices have to agree on a case for it to be heard for an oral argument on why the decision was unconstitutional. I found this surprising because it gives voice to the minority of the justices to review a case even if it does not win by the majority vote. I assumed that the majority vote between justices was the final say among the Supreme Court standard, and I think this part of really cool. It is significant because it ensures a voice for all the justices in a way.

Then the system of negative rights v. positive rights was interesting because they aim to protect individuals' needs and rights from being restrained by the government. Negative rights protect individuals from being restricted by the government such as the 1st Amendment allow the right to free speech but also freedom from censorship. Then positive rights are systems set in place to help individuals to get specific needs such as the right to education.

Before I watched the video, my opinion about the Supreme Court was very close minded at first. If I am being honest, I thought the Supreme Court was full of old people who just decided on their own on what the Constitution meant but did enforce the laws as they were written by our founders.

I think my view stayed this way for a long time because of how many presidents tried to sabotage branches of government by hiring friends or unqualified people. I think the part that stood out to me is that justices are able to feel comfortable and express their opinions in the oral argument, discussion, and the opinion writing about each case that is heard. A lot of work goes into just proposing their opinion and even trying to convince other justices to change their decision. This has opened my mind a lot about how much work goes into trying to change laws or trying to amend the constitution. I like how difficult it is to change the laws because if it was easy, people’s rights would not be protected. 

Supreme Court Building

In conclusion, The Supreme Court plays a crucial role in the U.S. government as they aim to make sure that individual's rights are protected. They enforce and hold different branches accountable by overseeing their actions making so that they do not overstep citizens' natural rights given by the founding fathers.

Through watching this video about the history of the Supreme Court, I have developed an understanding of how the that shaped America's law and society. This branch is significant because it helps America progress as a nation by making sure that U.S. government does not become a monarchy by using complex systems of court. It serves as a voice for the people by addressing nation issue and represent the unrepresented by preserving their rights.

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