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Difficulty: MediumMcCulloch v. Maryland and United States v. Lopez

Landmark Supreme Court decisions have played a significant role in defining the boundary between federal and state authority. Which row in the comparison table below correctly pairs the constitutional reasoning and the effect on federalism for both *McCulloch v. Maryland* and *United States v. Lopez*?

*McCulloch v. Maryland**United States v. Lopez*
Row 1Holding: The Necessary and Proper Clause permits Congress to charter a national bank.
Effect: Strengthened federal power through implied powers.		Holding: The Commerce Clause does not permit Congress to ban gun possession in school zones.
Effect: Placed limits on the expansion of federal power.
Row 2Holding: The Commerce Clause permits Congress to charter a national bank.
Effect: Strengthened federal power through commerce regulation.		Holding: The Tenth Amendment permits Congress to ban gun possession in school zones.
Effect: Placed limits on the expansion of state power.
Row 3Holding: The Necessary and Proper Clause limits Congress to only explicitly enumerated powers.
Effect: Restrained federal power in favor of state authority.		Holding: The Commerce Clause permits Congress to regulate gun possession in school zones.
Effect: Strengthened federal power through commerce regulation.
Row 4Holding: The Supremacy Clause permits states to tax federal institutions if they operate within state borders.
Effect: Restrained federal power in favor of state authority.		Holding: The Tenth Amendment reserves the regulation of interstate commerce to the federal government.
Effect: Strengthened federal power through reserved powers.
  1. A
    Row 2
  2. B
    Row 3
  3. Row 1Answer
  4. D
    Row 4

Answer

Row 1
The row containing Row 1 is correct because it accurately identifies the constitutional principles and holdings of both landmark cases. In McCulloch v. Maryland, the Supreme Court ruled that the Necessary and Proper Clause allows Congress to establish a national bank, which reinforced the doctrine of implied powers and expanded federal authority. In United States v. Lopez, the Court ruled that Congress exceeded its authority under the Commerce Clause by enacting the Gun-Free School Zones Act, because gun possession in a local school zone is not an economic activity that substantially affects interstate commerce, thereby placing a limit on federal power.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the constitutional basis and holding of McCulloch v. Maryland (1819).
The Court ruled that the Necessary and Proper Clause gives Congress the implied power to charter a national bank, and the Supremacy Clause prevents states from taxing it. This strengthened federal power.
To identify which row accurately reflects the details and impact of the McCulloch case.
2
Analyze the constitutional basis and holding of United States v. Lopez (1995).
The Court ruled that carrying a gun in a school zone is a non-economic activity that does not substantially affect interstate commerce, meaning the Gun-Free School Zones Act exceeded Congress's Commerce Clause power. This limited federal power.
To identify which row accurately reflects the details and impact of the Lopez case.
3
Compare the findings to the rows presented in the table.
Row 1 correctly aligns the Necessary and Proper Clause and implied powers expansion for McCulloch with the Commerce Clause limits for Lopez.
To select the correct option representing the accurate row.

Key Concept

McCulloch v. Maryland and United States v. Lopez
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Topics

McCulloch v. Maryland and United States v. Lopez

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