George Washington may have been remembered throughout history as the "Father of the United States," but it was his contemporary John Marshall who defined what it meant to be truly unified as a country, a single entity under a single law. In Marshall's extensive term as Chief Justice, he was always diligent in ensuring that the federal government retained its supremacy. In doing so, he helped to mold the federal judicial system which we maintain today.
Marshall was not just an outstanding judge; he was also a person of good character. He was good-natured, had strong beliefs, always strove to set a good example, and was very intelligent, even though he hadn't received formal law education. He was logical and persuasive, and no matter the case that was brought before him, he could always relate it back to his foremost principle of a strong federal government. Although his decisions often incited opposition, everyone agreed that Marshall was a man of great conviction and sincerity, and that he deserved respect.
As his term as President was about to end, John Adams sought for a replacement to assume the position of Chief Justice. He came to Marshall, who was delighted to accept the nomination. Of course, this did not please Jefferson, the newly elected President, who was a member of the Democratic-Republicans and an advocate of state's rights. On the other hand, Marshall was a dedicated Federalist, and although Adams, Hamilton, and the rest of the Federalist party faded away into history over the following decades, for many years Marshall continued to express Federalist viewpoints through the rulings of the Supreme Court. During his term, he was opposed by Jefferson and his followers in the executive office, but that did not appease his commitment to defending and upholding the strength of the national government.
At first, Marshall's position of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court did not hold much merit.
