The United States of America, 224 years young, has gone through enumerable changes and stages. Many changes have gone through the constitution and its definitions of a perfect government. The intricate pathways of the branch system and checks and balances have proved to be extremely successful in the course of its existence. However, towards the beginning of its existence, there were controversial issues and power struggles. The constitution had left federalism undefined (now defined as: the distribution of power in an organization (as a government) between a central authority and the constituent units) and the power of the federal government and the state government was in conflict. John Marshall, fourth Chief Justice of the United States of America, accosted these issues and shaped the Supreme Court to distance itself from "partisan politics" of executive and legislative branches. Through persistence and effort, he changed Judiciary branch to equal the other branches. His impact on the forming of the U.S. is immeasurable. Federalism was changed for the country and continued that long after the Federalist Party.
             John Marshall was born September 24, 1755 in Germantown, Virginia. He was taught to read and write at home by his slightly educated parents. He had access to books, which were scarce during that particular period of history and in the region in which he lived. Marshall received some formal education from a young Scotch minister, the academy of Reverend Archibald Campbell and at William and Mary College a short time after. He served as a captain in the American Revolution and later was selected Secretary of the State for his brave heroics in the war. He ran for a position in the House of Representatives but lost when going into reelection. After his loss, he was selected Chief Justice of the Supreme Court by John Adams.
             As Chief Justice, Marshall was pressed to some important decisions concern...