What was the majority opinion in McCulloch v. Maryland?
Asked by: Elinor Smitham | Last update: February 5, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (67 votes)
In McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), the Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision written by Chief Justice John Marshall, ruled that Congress had the implied power to create a national bank under the Necessary and Proper Clause, and that states couldn't tax it because the federal government is supreme (Supremacy Clause). The opinion established that "necessary" means "appropriate and legitimate," expanding federal power, and famously stated, "the power to tax involves the power to destroy," preventing states from undermining federal institutions.
What was the opinion of McCulloch v. Maryland?
majority opinion by John Marshall. 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 justices voted for the majority in McCulloch v. Maryland?
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
- Majority: Marshall (author), Washington, Johnson, Livingston, Duvall, Story.
- Dissent: None.
Which of the following was used in the majority opinion of McCulloch versus Maryland to strike down the potential tax on a national bank?
In McCulloch v. Maryland, Chief Justice John Marshall used the Supremacy Clause to strike down Maryland's tax on a national bank. This decision affirmed federal authority over state laws. Hence, the Supremacy Clause was crucial in establishing the federal government's dominance in the legal system.
What is McCulloch v. Maryland Quizlet?
In McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) the Supreme Court ruled that Congress had implied powers under the Necessary and Proper Clause of Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution to create the Second Bank of the United States and that the state of Maryland lacked the power to tax the Bank.
McCulloch v Maryland, EXPLAINED [AP Gov Required Supreme Court Cases]
What were the key quotes from the majority opinion McCulloch v. Maryland?
Key Quotes:
Let the end be legitimate, let it be within the scope of the constitution, and all means which are appropriate, which are plainly adapted to that end, which are not prohibited, but consist with the letter and spirit of the constitution, are constitutional.”
Why is McCulloch v. Maryland important to Apush?
McCulloch v. Maryland significantly shifted the balance of power towards the federal government by reinforcing its supremacy over state actions. The Supreme Court ruled that states could not tax or interfere with federal institutions, affirming that federal laws take precedence.
Why is McCulloch v. Maryland still relevant to the United States today?
The case established, once and for all, that when state and federal laws are in conflict, the federal law always wins. McCulloch also paved the way for what some call the “administrative state,” a form of government that employs an extensive professional class to oversee government, the economy, and society.
What you just learned about the McCulloch case?
The Supreme Court ruled in McCulloch v. Maryland that Congress has the power to establish a national bank, confirming the doctrine of implied powers. This decision reinforced the federal government's authority and limited state interference with federal institutions.
What principle did the 1819 McCulloch v. Maryland case establish?
The 1819 McCulloch v. Maryland case established two key principles: implied powers, meaning Congress has powers beyond those explicitly listed in the Constitution (under the Necessary and Proper Clause) to carry out its duties, and federal supremacy, which asserts that federal laws are supreme to state laws, meaning states cannot tax or interfere with federal government operations.
How did McCulloch vs. Maryland increase the power of Congress?
Maryland ruling. In this landmark decision, the U.S. Supreme Court recognized the doctrine of implied powers, which gave the federal government broad authority over state governments and irrevocably established the principle of federal supremacy.
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.
Who was the McCulloch v. Maryland case a serious defeat for?
The McCulloch v. Maryland case was a serious defeat for those who advocated a strict construction of the Constitution, as it upheld the doctrine of implied powers and emphasized federal supremacy over state laws.
What was the vote count of McCulloch v. Maryland?
The Supreme Court decided unanimously to reverse the Maryland Court of Appeals' decision. Justice Marshall wrote the majority opinion for the unanimous court.
What is the main idea of McCulloch v. Maryland?
The court decided that the Federal Government had the right and power to set up a Federal bank and that states did not have the power to tax the Federal Government.
Why did McCulloch win the case?
Because a bank is a proper and suitable instrument to assist the operations of the government in the collection and disbursement of the revenue, and because federal laws are supreme over state laws, Maryland had no power to interfere with the bank's operation by taxing it.
Why did McCulloch refuse to pay the tax?
James W. McCulloch, the head cashier at branch in Baltimore, refused to pay $15,000 in owed taxes, claiming Maryland's government didn't have the right to tax a federally chartered bank. Maryland's leaders sued and the state's courts sided with the legislators.
Which of the following best describes the significance of the ruling in McCulloch v. Maryland?
The significance of McCulloch versus Maryland (1819) is that the Supreme Court ruled Congress can use constitutional power to build a national bank.
How might the decision in McCulloch v. Maryland quizlet?
How might the decision in McCulloch v. Maryland make future Supreme Court decisions more complicated? The principle of the federal supremacy meant the Court would more often rule in favor of federal powers over those of individual states.
What is the reasoning in McCulloch v. Maryland to which the opinion refers?
The reasoning in McCulloch v. Maryland emphasizes federal supremacy, asserting that states cannot tax federal institutions like banks. In McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government had implied powers under the Constitution, specifically under the Necessary and Proper Clause.
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.
What was the legal argument in McCulloch v. Maryland against the federal government establishing a national bank?
Facts of the case
James W. McCulloch, the cashier of the Baltimore branch of the bank, refused to pay the tax. The state appeals court held that the Second Bank was unconstitutional because the Constitution did not provide a textual commitment for the federal government to charter a bank.
How does the case of McCulloch v. Maryland illustrate the tension that happens in federalism?
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) exemplifies the tension in federalism by showcasing the conflict between state attempts to limit federal actions and the federal government's assertion of its implied powers.
Which is a true statement about James McCulloch of McCulloch v. Maryland?
Therefore, the true statement is that James McCulloch ran a federal bank in Maryland, and he was involved in the legal dispute because he refused to pay the state tax on the federal bank, not because he refused to pay federal taxes or because he paid both state and federal taxes.