Question

In 1819 Chief Justice Marshall declared that "the Constitution and the laws made in pursuance thereof are supreme: . . They control the Constitution and laws of the respective states, and cannot be controlled by them. True or False?

Answer 1

The statement regarding the supremacy of the Constitution and federal laws over state laws, as declared by Chief Justice Marshall, is true. This is based on the Supremacy Clause of Article VI of the U.S. Constitution, which was upheld in the case of McCulloch v. Maryland in 1819.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement attributed to Chief Justice Marshall regarding the supremacy of the Constitution and federal laws over state laws is true. This principle is derived from the Supremacy Clause found in Article VI of the U.S. Constitution. The Supremacy Clause clearly establishes that the U.S. Constitution, federal laws made in accordance with the Constitution, and treaties made under the authority of the United States are the supreme Law of the Land. It also dictates that state judges are bound by these federal laws, even if state laws or constitutions conflict with them.

Chief Justice Marshall reinforced this constitutional doctrine in the landmark case of McCulloch v. Maryland in 1819, which set a precedent for the interpretation and application of the Supremacy Clause. The court held that when a conflict arises between federal law and state law, the federal law must prevail, ensuring the nation functions under a unified legal framework.