Did McCulloch v. Maryland use the supremacy clause?
Asked by: Dr. Alexandre Sipes MD | Last update: February 4, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (72 votes)
Yes, McCulloch v. Maryland heavily relied on the Supremacy Clause (Article VI) to establish that federal laws and institutions are superior to state laws, striking down Maryland's tax on the Second Bank of the United States because states cannot tax federal entities, reinforcing federal power. Chief Justice John Marshall's opinion stated that "the Constitution, and the Laws of the United States... shall be the supreme Law of the Land," meaning Maryland's tax was an unconstitutional interference with federal authority.
What is the supremacy clause in McCulloch v. Maryland?
Additionally, the Supremacy Clause in the Constitution makes federal laws supreme to state laws, and thus prohibits states from enacting laws contrary to federal laws. Consequently, Maryland's tax was unconstitutional.
What clause was involved in McCulloch v. Maryland?
The Supreme Court, however, decided that the chartering of a bank was an implied power of the Constitution, under the “elastic clause,” which granted Congress the authority to “make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution” the work of the Federal Government.
What is an example of the supremacy clause?
For example, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, an act of Congress, preempts state constitutions, and Food and Drug Administration regulations may preempt state court judgments in cases involving prescription drugs. Congress has preempted state regulation in many areas.
What constitutional concept did the Supreme Court establish in the McCulloch case?
Maryland, 17 U.S. 316 (1819) States cannot interfere with the federal government when it uses its implied powers under the Necessary and Proper Clause to further its express constitutional powers.
Does Congress Have Implied Powers? | McCulloch v. Maryland
Which U.S. Supreme Court case established the constitutionality of the Supremacy Clause?
This is the latest accepted revision, reviewed on 9 January 2026. McCulloch v. Maryland, 17 U.S. (4 Wheat.) 316 (1819), was a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that defined the scope of the U.S. Congress's legislative power and how it relates to the powers of American state legislatures.
Which type of constitutional power was addressed during the McCulloch v. Maryland Supreme Court case?
The type of constitutional power addressed during the McCulloch v. Maryland Supreme Court case was the implied power to create a national bank. In this landmark case, the Supreme Court confirmed Congress's authority to establish a national bank under the necessary and proper clause of the Constitution.
What is the concept of the Supremacy Clause?
The Supremacy Clause refers to the foundational principle that, in general, federal law takes precedence over any conflicting state law.
Which two clauses does McCulloch cite?
The Supreme Court stated that Congress had the right to create the National Bank, under the Necessary and Proper Clause. Also the State of Maryland did not have the right to tax the National Bank and the Federal Government under the Supremacy Clause.
What was the main idea behind McCulloch v. Maryland?
Maryland may not impose a tax on the bank. In a unanimous decision, the Court held that Congress had the power to incorporate the bank and that Maryland could not tax instruments of the national government employed in the execution of constitutional powers.
Which two provisions in the Constitution were upheld and strengthened in the McCulloch v. Maryland decision?
In the McCulloch v. Maryland decision, which two provisions in the constitution were upheld and strengthened? The necessary and proper clause and the supremacy clause.
What did the Supreme Court decide in McCulloch v. Maryland 1819 Quizlet?
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) ruled that states cannot tax federal institutions, establishing federal law supremacy and confirming Congress has implied powers (Necessary and Proper Clause) to create a national bank, even if not explicitly listed in the Constitution, thus strengthening federal power over states.
How does the Supremacy Clause influence the Supreme Court?
Rule of Decision: The Supremacy Clause provides a clear directive to courts: prioritize federal law over conflicting state law. This principle is reinforced in cases like Armstrong v. Exceptional Child Center, Inc., 575 U.S. 320 (2015) and Kansas v. Garcia, 589 U.S. 191 (2020).
How does the Supreme Court decision in McCulloch v. Maryland support the article I excerpt?
The Supreme Court's ruling in McCulloch v. Maryland supports the idea that Congress has implied powers necessary to fulfill its duties under Article I. It established the principle that federal powers are supreme and cannot be undermined by state action.
What is the Supremacy Clause Article VI Clause 2 of the Constitution?
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any ...
What is a common constitutional principle used to make a ruling in both McCulloch v. Maryland 1819 and Arizona v. United States 2012?
Explanation: The common constitutional principle used in both McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) and Arizona v. United States (2012) is the concept of federal supremacy outlined in the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution.
What are examples of Supremacy Clause cases?
topic: supremacy clause
- McCulloch v. Maryland 17 U.S. 316 (1819)
- Gibbons v. Ogden 22 U.S. 1 (1824)
- Worcester v. Georgia 31 U.S. 515 (1832)
- Ableman v. Booth 62 U.S. 506 (1858)
- In re Neagle 135 U.S. 1 (1890)
- Pennsylvania v. Nelson 350 U.S. 497 (1956)
- Printz v. United States 521 U.S. 898 (1997)
Does the Supremacy Clause apply to treaties?
The Supremacy Clause gives treaties a domestic judicial sanction that they would otherwise lack. It makes treaties enforceable in the courts in the same circumstances as the other two categories of norms specified in the clause—federal statutes and the Constitution itself.
Does the Supremacy Clause apply to state constitutions?
Under the Supremacy Clause, the federal Constitution, statutes, and regulations supersede state law including state constitutions. Whether a state can excuse compliance with or impose greater duties than an otherwise constitutionally valid federal law depends on Congressional intent.
How did the Supreme Court ruling in the McCulloch versus Maryland case help strengthen the federal government?
The court upheld the power of Congress to charter the Bank of the United States and ruled that states could not tax agencies of the federal government. The decision thus strengthened the national government at the expense of the states.
How could it be argued that the Supreme Court's decision in McCulloch v. Maryland expanded the powers of Congress?
McCulloch v. Maryland was a U.S. Supreme Court case in 1819. The court ruled in favor of McCulloch. This ruling meant that Congress has constitutional authority to establish a bank and a state does not have the power to tax the federal government.
How did the 1819 Supreme Court decision in McCulloch v. Maryland increase the power of Congress brainly?
The McCulloch v. Maryland decision in 1819 increased Congress's power by supporting the doctrine of implied powers, allowing Congress to act beyond its enumerated powers when necessary. Additionally, it reinforced the supremacy of federal laws over state laws by ruling that a state could not tax federal institutions.
Is McCulloch v. Maryland Supremacy Clause?
Maryland . In McCulloch, Chief Justice John Marshall wrote that the supremacy clause unequivocally states that the “Constitution, and the Laws of the United States … shall be the supreme Law of the Land.” Closed captions available in English and Spanish.
Did Marbury v. Madison use the Supremacy Clause?
More importantly, however, Marshall's opinion established that the Supreme Court has the authority, under the Supremacy Clause and Article III, § 2 of the Constitution, to review legislative or executive acts and find them unconstitutional, i.e., the power of judicial review.
When was the Supremacy Clause first used?
Ware v Hylton (1796) was the first time the supremacy clause was used to strike down a state law. Martin v Hunter's Lessee (1816) & Cohens v Virginia (1821) gave the power to the U.S. Supreme Court to solve conflicts between federal and state law.