Final answer:
McCulloch v. Maryland was a pivotal Supreme Court case in 1819 that established federal supremacy by confirming Congress's authority to create a national bank and preventing states from taxing federal institutions, thus reinforcing the principle of implied powers and impacting federalism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Supreme Court case McCulloch v. Maryland in 1819 is a landmark decision that remains significant in the context of American constitutional law, specifically in areas concerning the relationship between state and federal governments. This case addressed two critical constitutional questions: whether Congress had the authority to establish a national bank (the Second Bank of the United States), and whether a state (Maryland) had the power to tax that federal institution.
Chief Justice John Marshall delivered the opinion of the Court, which asserted that Congress had the power to create a national bank under the necessary and proper clause of the Constitution. Furthermore, the Court determined that Maryland could not tax the bank, reinforcing the principle of federal supremacy over the states and establishing the doctrine of implied powers. These powers were deemed legitimate as long as they were appropriate and directed to fulfilling the government's constitutional obligations.
The impact on federalism following this decision was significant. It marked the beginning of an era that saw an increase in national authority over economic affairs, effectively limiting the states' power to interfere with federal entities and their functions.