Interpreting the Constitution Quick Check
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Question
Which statement best assesses the impact of the cases Marbury v. Madison and McCulloch v. Maryland on the Constitution?(1 point)
Responses
Both cases did not increase any federal power.
Both cases did not increase any federal power.
Both cases increased the powers of the executive branch.
Both cases increased the powers of the executive branch.
Both cases increased the powers of the judicial branch.
Both cases increased the powers of the judicial branch.
Both cases increased the powers of the federal government
Both cases increased the powers of the federal government.
The correct answer is:
Both cases increased the powers of the judicial branch.
To answer this question, we need to analyze the cases of Marbury v. Madison and McCulloch v. Maryland and their impact on the Constitution.
Marbury v. Madison was a landmark Supreme Court case in 1803 that established the principle of judicial review. The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice John Marshall, declared that it had the power to review laws passed by Congress and determine their constitutionality. This case significantly increased the powers of the judicial branch by giving them the authority to interpret and invalidate laws that they deemed unconstitutional.
On the other hand, McCulloch v. Maryland was a Supreme Court case in 1819 that involved the constitutionality of a state imposing taxes on the Second Bank of the United States. The Court, again led by Chief Justice John Marshall, ruled that the federal government had implied powers that were not explicitly stated in the Constitution. This case expanded the powers of the federal government by interpreting the Necessary and Proper Clause of the Constitution broadly, allowing Congress to enact laws necessary for carrying out its enumerated powers.
Therefore, the correct answer to the question is: "Both cases increased the powers of the federal government." These cases established important precedents that strengthened the authority of both the judicial and executive branches, as well as the federal government as a whole.