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

The significance of Marbury v. Madison lies in its establishment of judicial review, which is the power of the Supreme Court to invalidate legislation or executive actions that it finds to be unconstitutional. This landmark decision, delivered by Chief Justice John Marshall in 1803, set a precedent that empowered the judicial branch as a co-equal branch of government alongside the executive and legislative branches.

By asserting the judiciary's authority to interpret the Constitution, the ruling effectively curtailed the potential for overreach by Congress and the President, ensuring that all branches of government remain accountable to the Constitution. This principle has profoundly influenced the development of the American legal system and continues to shape the balance of power in the federal government, making it one of the cornerstones of American constitutional law.

In contrast, the other options do not capture the essence of this landmark case. For example, while civil liberties are significant, Marbury v. Madison did not specifically address the rights of the accused. The ruling did not promote states' rights or primarily focus on defining the intricacies of federal and state power; rather, its main contribution was the affirmation of the judiciary's role in maintaining constitutional checks and balances.