Question

What were the decisions in the cases of Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) and Wabash?

1) The decision in Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) expanded the power of the federal government to regulate interstate commerce, while the decision in Wabash limited the power of states to regulate interstate commerce.
2) The decision in Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) limited the power of the federal government to regulate interstate commerce, while the decision in Wabash expanded the power of states to regulate interstate commerce.
3) The decision in Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) and the decision in Wabash both expanded the power of the federal government to regulate interstate commerce.
4) The decision in Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) and the decision in Wabash both limited the power of the federal government to regulate interstate commerce.

Answer 1

The decision in Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) expanded the federal government's power to regulate interstate commerce, while the Wabash case limited state powers and led to federal regulation of railroads. The correct option is 1.

Step-by-step explanation:

The decisions in the cases of Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) and Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway Co. v. Illinois had significant implications on the regulation of interstate commerce and the balance of power between the federal and state governments.

The Supreme Court in Gibbons v. Ogden ruled that the federal government had the sole authority to regulate interstate commerce, which meant that New York state could not grant an exclusive steamboat operating license and even broadened the definition of interstate commerce to include 'commercial intercourse'. This decision increased the power of the federal government.

Conversely, the decision in the Wabash case constrained state governments by ruling that they could not regulate interstate commerce, such as railroads, leading to federal regulation through the Interstate Commerce Act and the creation of the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC).

Hence, Option 1 is correct.