Chisholm v. Georgia, 2 U.S. 419 (1793)
Chisholm v. Georgia, decided in 1793, is a landmark case in the United States legal history as it was the first significant case involving the complex subjects of sovereign immunity and the power of the federal courts.
Does the U.S. Constitution grant federal courts the jurisdiction to hear cases brought by private citizens against a state in which they do not reside?
Article III, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution extends the judicial power to cases 'between a state and citizens of another state' without expressly granting sovereign immunity to states.
The Supreme Court held, in a 4-1 decision, that the Constitution permits a lawsuit brought by a citizen of one state against another state, rejecting the notion of state sovereign immunity in this context.
Chisholm v. Georgia is significant for law students as it demonstrates the early struggles and debates over federal authority and state sovereignty, which are still relevant today. The case directly led to the drafting and ratification of the Eleventh Amendment, highlighting the tension between state and federal powers and the evolving nature of constitutional interpretation. Understanding this case helps in grasping the foundational principles underlying state immunity, federal jurisdiction, and the development of constitutional amendments.