SCOTUS Cases & Decisions
In Maryland v. McCulloch (1819), the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government could create a national bank, even though the Constitution does not explicitly grant this power. Which clause of the Constitution did the Court use to justify its decision?
What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?
What term is used to describe the division of power between the national government and the states?
What is federalism?
Which branch of government is responsible for interpreting laws, according to the principle of separation of powers?
What is the Judicial Branch?
The Supremacy Clause ensures that state laws always take precedence over federal laws. True or false?
False – The Supremacy Clause establishes that federal law takes precedence over state laws.
What constitutional principle did the Maryland v. McCulloch case reinforce regarding the relationship between federal and state governments?
What is the Supremacy Clause?
Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution reserves powers to the states that are not delegated to the federal government?
What is the 10th Amendment?
The president’s veto power is an example of which principle of separation of powers?
What is checks and balances?
In McCulloch v. Maryland, the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government had the authority to create a national bank, even though it was not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution. True or false?
True – The Court used the Necessary and Proper Clause to justify the creation of the national bank.
In Maryland v. McCulloch, the Court ruled that Maryland could not tax the national bank. What principle did this ruling emphasize about the power of the federal government over the states?
What is the doctrine of federal supremacy?
In the context of federalism, what type of federalism describes a system in which the powers and responsibilities of the national and state governments are distinct and separate?
What is dual federalism?
Which branch of government has the power to declare a law unconstitutional, serving as a check on both the executive and legislative branches?
What is the Judicial Branch?
The Commerce Clause has been interpreted to allow the federal government to regulate activities that occur entirely within one state, as long as they have a substantial effect on interstate commerce.
True – In Wickard v. Filburn (1942), the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government could regulate local activities if they had a significant economic effect on interstate commerce.