What historical event is associated with the early development of federal courts?

The Judiciary Act of 1789 is a foundational piece of legislation that established the federal judiciary of the United States. This act created a federal court system, which included the Supreme Court, district courts, and circuit courts. It set the structure and jurisdiction for these courts, thus laying the groundwork for how the judicial branch would function within the framework established by the Constitution.

While the establishment of the Supreme Court and the signing of the Constitution are significant milestones in the history of the federal judiciary, they are not as directly tied to the operational systems and frameworks needed for federal courts as the Judiciary Act of 1789. The introduction of appellate courts in 1891 is a later development that expanded the judicial system but does not relate to its early establishment. The Judiciary Act is often viewed as the pivotal moment that transformed the abstract distinctions of the Constitution into a functioning court system, making it the central event associated with the early development of federal courts.