Question

Which statement reflects Aaron Ogden’s view of interstate commerce? Steamboat operators without a state license could not operate full time in New York waters. Steamboat operators with only a federal license must have his permission to operate in New York waters. Federal and state governments shared powers over interstate commerce. Federal and state governments should not require licensing to operate a steamboat.

Answer 1

Aaron Ogden believed steamboat operators needed a state license to operate in New York waters, as he held an exclusive state license. The Supreme Court ruling in Gibbons v. Ogden, however, confirmed federal supremacy in regulating interstate commerce, opposing Ogden's view and strengthening federal government power.

Step-by-step explanation:

Aaron Ogden's View on Interstate Commerce

Aaron Ogden's viewpoint on interstate commerce, as reflected in the landmark Supreme Court case Gibbons v. Ogden (1824), was that steamboat operators should not be able to operate in New York waters without a state license, specifically one granted by New York State which provided him an exclusive monopoly. Ogden believed that without this state-granted permission, a federal license was insufficient for steamboat operators to conduct business within New York waters. The case highlighted a significant conflict between state and federal power regarding the regulation of interstate commerce and ultimately, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the supremacy of federal legislation over the conflicting state laws.

The Supreme Court's decision, led by Chief Justice Marshall, conclusively expanded the scope of the interstate commerce power as assigned to Congress, showing that it included navigation and transportation across state lines. This clarifies that Aaron Ogden's view, which emphasized state control over such matters, was in contrast to the federalist perspective that the Supreme Court would confirm.

Ultimately, this case and others like it during the period significantly increased the federal government's role in promoting economic development and affirmed its authority over matters of interstate trade and infrastructure, such as steamboats, railroads, and canals.

Answer 2

Aaron Ogden believed that steamboat operators needed a New York state license to operate in its waters, superseding federal licenses. This view was contested when the Supreme Court in Gibbons v. Ogden ruled that the federal government held ultimate authority over interstate commerce under the commerce clause, invalidating Ogden's exclusive license.

Step-by-step explanation:

Aaron Ogden's view of interstate commerce, as reflected in the case of Gibbons v. Ogden (1824), was that steamboat operators needed to have a state license, specifically from New York, to operate in its waters, even if they held a federal license. Ogden held an exclusive license granted by New York State and believed that this gave him the authority to operate without competition from those who only held federal licenses.

This perspective was challenged when the Supreme Court, under Chief Justice Marshall, ruled in favor of Gibbons, affirming federal supremacy in matters of interstate commerce and declaring that federal licensing must take precedence over state-granted monopolies. Consequently, the court established that the federal government had the sole authority to regulate interstate commerce, such as the operation of steamboats between states, under the commerce clause of the Constitution.