The Judiciary Act of 1801

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The Judiciary Act of 1801 was passed by the Federalist-controlled Congress and signed into law by President John Adams. Its main purpose was to create a number of new federal judgeships that could be filled with Federalist judges, thereby securing their hold on the judiciary even after the incoming Republican administration took office. It did not increase the size of the Supreme Court, nor was it declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. The act ultimately backfired on the Federalists and contributed to their loss of power in the 1800 election.