Courtmaker explores how Chief Justice John Marshall transformed the Supreme Court into a coequal branch of government. Through interviews, stunning locations, and re-creations of landmark cases like Marbury v. Madison, the film reveals how Marshall shaped the nation’s legal foundations and enduring ideals of liberty and self-government.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipHow to Watch Courtmaker
Courtmaker is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Chief Justice John Marshall administering oath of office to Andrew Jackson
1/19
An engraving from the 1830s depicting Andrew Jackson as the Great Father.
2/19
NY Colonization Society certificate
3/19
On Board a Slave ship
4/19
Woodcut, Justice John Marshall having fallen to floor
5/19
A slave auction at the south
6/19
From an original sketch by Theodore R. Davis.
Daniel Webster's argument of the famous Dartmouth College Case, by Robert Clayton Burns 1962
7/19
Signing of the Constitution, by Christy
8/19
Washington and Lafayette visiting the suffering part of the army, Gilbert
9/19
Property protected–å la Françoise - XYZ Affair
10/19
Illustration- “The Providential Detection” - Jefferson’s Letter to Mazzei, 1797
11/19
Cartoon - Cinque-Tetes or the Paris Monster 1787 - XYZ Affair
12/19
Cartoon - Cinque-Tetes or the Paris Monster 1787 - XYZ Affair
13/19
Cartoon - Federalist 1799
14/19
Cartoon - Federalist 1799
15/19
Cartoon: The Present State of Our Country 1812-15, (color) William Charles, two American men trying to pull down pillars "federalism" and "democracy."
16/19
Burr trial
17/19
Battle of New Orleans
18/19
Cartoon - British valour and Yankee boasting or, Shannon versus Chesapeake
19/19
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