What helped give shape to the judicial branch of the federal government?

The judicial branch of the federal government was shaped primarily by the U.S. Constitution, particularly Article III, which established the Supreme Court and allowed Congress to create lower courts. The Federalist Papers, especially Federalist No. 78 by Alexander Hamilton, emphasized the importance of an independent judiciary to uphold the rule of law and protect individual rights. Additionally, landmark Supreme Court cases and the evolving interpretation of the Constitution have continuously influenced the structure and function of the judiciary over time.