18
QuizMultiple Choice

The Supreme Court and the Role of Government — Quiz

Question 18 • Civics and Government

How might the decision in McCulloch v. Maryland make future Supreme Court decisions more complicated?

Answer
A
The Court could rule based on what it felt was right rather than basing its decisions on the Constitution.
B
The principle of federal supremacy meant the Court would have to determine new limits on the federal government’s power.
C
The Court could spend more time interpreting the intent of the Constitution rather than simply following it to the letter.
D
The principle of federal supremacy meant the Court would more often rule in favor of federal powers over those of individual states.

Explanation

In McCulloch v. Maryland, the Court held that Congress had implied powers under the Constitution and that federal law was supreme over conflicting state law. That principle could make later cases more complicated because the Court would need to decide how far federal powers extend and where their limits lie. Choice B captures this challenge; choice D describes federal supremacy but not the added question of defining limits.

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