Final answer:
The court case Gibbons v. Ogden was important for American history because it established the federal government's authority to regulate interstate commerce. It helped define the scope of national power and strengthened the power of the national government.
Step-by-step explanation:
The court case Gibbons v. Ogden was important for American history because it helped define the scope of national power and the role of the federal government. In this case, the Supreme Court had to interpret the commerce clause of Article I, Section 8, and determine whether the federal government had the sole authority to regulate the licensing of steamboats operating between New York and New Jersey. The Marshall Court ruled in favor of Gibbons, establishing that Congress, and not the individual states, had the power to regulate interstate commerce. This decision strengthened the power of the national government and set a precedent for the federal government's authority in economic matters.