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The Court and National Power

Page history last edited by Mr. Hengsterman 4 years, 4 months ago

 

The Marshall Court and Federal Supremacy [1819-1824] 
Chief Justice John Marshall establishes the judiciary as a powerful branch of the federal

government, and strengthens the national government’s supremacy over the states.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[CONTRACTS] DARTMOUTH COLLEGE V. WOODWARD  (1819)

BACKGROUND:  New Hampshire’s state legislature changed Dartmouth College from a private institution to a public (state) institution in order to reduce the cost of a college education.

 

DECISION: The Supreme Court decided that Dartmouth College’s charter was a contract and states may not pass laws “impairing obligations of contracts.”  The Supreme Court ruled the New Hampshire law was unconstitutional.

 

IMPACT: The Court expanded federal power by declaring a state law unconstitutional.  It also aided businesses by guaranteeing that business contracts could not be altered by the government.

 

 

 

SUPREMACY  McCULLOCH V. MARYLAND   (1819)

BACKGROUND:  The state of Maryland placed a large tax on deposits in the National Bank in an effort to destroy the Bank.  James McCulloch, a National Bank official, refused to pay the tax to the state.

 

DECISION: The Supreme Court declared the National Bank legal and stated the Maryland tax was unconstitutional since it was designed solely to destroy the National Bank.

 

IMPACT: Congress used the elastic clause to create the National Bank.  Since the Bank was found to be constitutional, the Supreme Court implied use of the elastic clause was constitutional.

 

 

 

 

INTERSTATE COMMERCE   GIBBONS V. OGDEN  (1824)

BACKGROUND:  New York State granted Aaron Ogden total control of ferry service on all rivers and waterways in New York State.  Thomas Gibbons had a federal license to operate steamboats between New York and New Jersey.  Ogden sued Gibbons to regain the monopoly he had over ferry service in New York State.

 

DECISION: New York State’s monopoly was ruled invalid since only the federal government can control interstate commerce.

 

IMPACT: The Court increased federal power by classifying transportation as a part of interstate commerce.  The ruling set a precedent for federal government regulation of railroads, airlines, and other forms of transportation as well as communications and manufacturing in future years.

 

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