What notable case did the Supreme Court decide in the Old Supreme Court chamber relevant to state vs. federal power?

The correct answer indicates that both McCulloch v. Maryland and Gibbons v. Ogden are notable cases decided in the Old Supreme Court chamber, and each significantly addressed issues of state versus federal power.

In McCulloch v. Maryland, decided in 1819, the Supreme Court established the principle of federal supremacy over state laws. The case involved a challenge to the Second Bank of the United States, where Maryland attempted to impose a tax on the bank. The Court ruled that states could not tax the federal entity, reinforcing the power of the federal government to operate independently of state interference.

Gibbons v. Ogden, decided in 1824, further clarified the federal government’s authority regarding interstate commerce. It involved a dispute over navigation rights between New York and New Jersey. The Supreme Court ruled that the federal government, particularly Congress, had the exclusive power to regulate interstate commerce, superseding state laws. This decision expanded federal power in economic matters and limited the states' ability to interfere with interstate trade.

Both cases are foundational to understanding the balance of power between state and federal governments and showcase the Supreme Court's role in interpreting the Constitution in a way that bolsters federal authority in the face of state actions. The Old Supreme