1789
Judiciary Act of 1789
Congress establishes the federal court system and sets the Supreme Court at six Justices.
Source: National Archives
The Eleventh Amendment. Suits against states
Federal judicial power does not extend to suits against a state by citizens of another state or of a foreign country.
Structure of governmentProposed 1794Ratified February 7, 1795
- What it does
- Federal judicial power does not extend to suits against a state by citizens of another state or of a foreign country.
- What led to it
- Proposed the year after Chisholm v. Georgia allowed a citizen of South Carolina to sue the State of Georgia in federal court.
- Decision it answered
- Chisholm v. Georgia, 2 U.S. 419 (1793). Yes. Federal judicial power extended to suits brought against a state by a citizen of another state.
- Time to ratify
- 1 year from proposal to ratification.
- Era
- The founding (1787–1800)
Around 1795. What else was in the record.
Decisions and events within six years of ratification.
1789
Congress proposes the Bill of Rights
The First Congress sends twelve amendments to the states; ten are ratified in 1791 as the Bill of Rights.
Source: National Archives
1793
Chisholm v. Georgia
Yes. Federal judicial power extended to suits brought against a state by a citizen of another state.
Source: Opinion of the Court
1798
Alien and Sedition Acts
Four laws passed during the undeclared naval war with France extend the residency period for naturalization, authorize deportation of non-citizens, and make it a crime to publish “false, scandalous and malicious writing” against the government.
Source: National Archives