Question

The 19th century doctrine of nullification (the opposite of the supremacy clause) support the belief that

a. states cannot declare acts of Congress unconstitutional
b. the national government has power over interstate commerce and states over intrastate commerce
c. national supremacy is inevitable
d. states have the right to decide whether or not federal laws will be followed within their borders

Answer 1

D - States have the right to decide whether or not federal laws will be followed within their borders.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Doctrine of Nullification is a famous one in the United State of America. It basically anchors on the central idea that a state has the legal right under its jurisdiction to repudiate or accept any laws promulgated or enacted by the federal government on matters bordering on the state.

Among the options so enlisted, option D aptly captures this central theme.

Option A deviate from the central theme as the issue of Congress has nothing to do with the acceptance of the state or not. It is done at the central level. It is however the products of such Congress that can be contested and challenged at the state level.

Option B speaks on Commerce at both state and interstate level. This is true constitutionally. However, this is easily contested under the 19th doctrine of nullification at the state level.

Option C tows same thought process option A and B, as it clearly show a departure at the central theme the doctrine of nullification is built upon.

Doctrine of Nullification simply reserves the right to directly influence the administration of laws and governance at respective state levels. This is the underlying basis. Any actions thus enacted by the central government will be viewed from same prism.

Answer 2

states have the right to decide whether or not federal laws will be followed within their borders

Step-by-step explanation:

The Constitution’s Supremacy Clause clearly stated that federal law is the ‘supreme Law of the Land. Despite the arguments against the theory of nullification, state governments have continued to uphold the theory of nullification, citing that they have the powers to declare certain federal governments’ laws to be null and void.

Certain crisis around nullification was seen in the history of the united states around 1832 between the federal government of the country and south Carolina because the state moved to declare null and void the federal Tariffs of 1828 and 1832 .