Which principle did the Supreme Court establish in Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)?

Which principle did the Supreme Court establish in Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)?

• A. Federal supremacy in regulating interstate commerce
• B. States may regulate commerce within borders
• C. The President can regulate foreign trade
• D. The judiciary cannot review interstate commerce

Answer: (A)

The key idea is federal power over trade that crosses state lines. In Gibbons v. Ogden, the Supreme Court held that Congress has the authority, under the Commerce Clause, to regulate interstate commerce, including navigation between states. When Congress acts in this area, its laws prevail over conflicting state rules. The decision struck down a state-granted monopoly by showing that a federal license to operate steamboats across state borders takes precedence, demonstrating federal supremacy in regulating interstate commerce. This case helped expand federal authority and clarified that national power governs trade crossing state boundaries.

The key idea is federal power over trade that crosses state lines. In Gibbons v. Ogden, the Supreme Court held that Congress has the authority, under the Commerce Clause, to regulate interstate commerce, including navigation between states. When Congress acts in this area, its laws prevail over conflicting state rules. The decision struck down a state-granted monopoly by showing that a federal license to operate steamboats across state borders takes precedence, demonstrating federal supremacy in regulating interstate commerce. This case helped expand federal authority and clarified that national power governs trade crossing state boundaries.