2. Why did John Adams create several new judicial positions prior to leaving office?

John Adams created several new judicial positions in a last-ditch effort to solidify a Federalist presence in the government before he handed over the presidency to Thomas Jefferson, a member of the opposing Democratic-Republican Party. This strategic move, often referred to as the "Midnight Judges" appointment, was aimed at ensuring Federalist influence in the judiciary, which would remain even after Adams’ administration ended. The fallout from this action sparked a political firestorm, leading to the landmark Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison in 1803. This case ultimately established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to declare acts of Congress unconstitutional, shaping the very foundation of American jurisprudence and the power dynamics between branches of government. So, Adams may have sparked a political kerfuffle, but he also inadvertently strengthened the judiciary’s role in American democracy!