Which statement best assess the impact of the cases Marbury v. Madison and McCulloch v. Maryland on the Constitution.
Both cases did not increase any Federal power.
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 federal government.
Both cases increased the powers of the judicial branch and the federal government.
The statement that best assesses the impact of the cases Marbury v. Madison and McCulloch v. Maryland on the Constitution is: "Both cases increased the powers of the federal government."
The correct statement that best assesses the impact of the cases Marbury v. Madison and McCulloch v. Maryland on the Constitution is: "Both cases increased the powers of the judicial branch."
To arrive at this answer, let's break down both cases and their impact on the Constitution:
1. Marbury v. Madison: In this case, the Supreme Court established the principle of judicial review, which grants the Court the power to declare laws unconstitutional. Chief Justice John Marshall, in his opinion, asserted that it was the duty of the judiciary to interpret the Constitution and determine the constitutionality of laws passed by Congress. This decision gave the judicial branch the authority to review and potentially invalidate laws that are inconsistent with the Constitution. As a result, it increased the powers of the judicial branch by granting it this crucial role in shaping and interpreting the Constitution.
2. McCulloch v. Maryland: This case dealt with the constitutionality of a state law that imposed a tax on the Second Bank of the United States. In the Supreme Court's decision, Chief Justice Marshall established the doctrine of implied powers. The Court held that Congress had the authority, under the Necessary and Proper Clause of the Constitution, to create a national bank, and that state laws interfering with the legitimate exercise of federal power were unconstitutional. This decision expanded Congress's powers, as it confirmed the implied powers of Congress and upheld the supremacy of federal laws over state laws.
While both cases had significant impacts on the Constitution, the statement that "Both cases increased the powers of the judicial branch" is the most accurate assessment.