Question

Fletcher v. Peck (1810) set a precedent as it was the first time that the Supreme Court _____________________.

• A. Ruled an Executive Order unconstitutional.
• B. Ruled on an issue that concerned Native Americans.
• C. Ruled in a case involving the slavery issue.
• D. Declared who did or did not qualify as an American citizen.
• E. Ruled a state law unconstitutional.

Answer 1

The correct option is E Ruled a state law unconstitutional.

In Fletcher v. Peck (1810), the Supreme Court ruled that a grant to a private land company was a contract within the meaning of the Contract Clause of the Constitution, and once made could not be repealed. In addition to establishing a strict interpretation of the Contract Clause, the case marked the first time the Supreme Court struck down a state law on constitutional grounds.

The correct answer is E.