McCulloch v. Maryland

Introduction

• Part of the AP Government required Supreme Court cases.
• Focus on McCulloch v. Maryland.

Facts of the Case

• 1816: Congress chartered the Second Bank of the United States (a federal bank).
• The bank established branches in several states, including Baltimore, Maryland.
• Maryland Legislature Response: Passed a law taxing non-state-chartered banks $15,000 per year.
• The cashier at the Baltimore branch of the national bank refused to pay the tax.
• The case escalated to the Supreme Court.

Constitutional Principle

• Maryland's Argument: Establishing a national bank was unconstitutional (not stated in Article 1, Section 8).
• McCulloch's Argument: The bank was constitutional under the Necessary and Proper Clause (Article 1, Section 8).
  • The clause grants Congress the authority to make laws necessary and proper to execute its powers.
  • Implied Powers: Powers not explicitly named but implied by the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Supreme Court Decision

• Decision: Unanimous in favor of McCulloch.
• Chief Justice John Marshall's Argument:
  • The bank is constitutional under the Necessary and Proper Clause.
  • Congress has discretion on how to execute its powers beneficially to the people.
  • If a power is not prohibited by the Constitution and adheres to its spirit, it stands.
• Supremacy of National Laws:
  • National laws take precedence over state laws.
  • State laws cannot override federal laws because sovereignty is granted by the people of the United States, not individual states.

Significance

• Federalism: Highlighted the balance of power between federal and state governments.
• Compared with United States v. Lopez, this case favored federal power.
• Continues to be a precedent in determining the balance of power.

Conclusion

• Essential case for understanding the balance of power and federalism in the U.S. government.
• Important for AP Government curriculum.