How did the Supreme Court's ruling in Gibbons v. Ogden affect state laws?

The ruling in Gibbons v. Ogden established the principle that federal law has supremacy over state law in matters of interstate commerce. This landmark decision affirmed the federal government's broad power to regulate commerce among the states under the Commerce Clause of the Constitution. The Supreme Court determined that the federal government has exclusive authority to regulate interstate trade, meaning that states cannot create laws that interfere with or contradict federal regulations regarding commerce.

This case clarified that states must comply with federal laws concerning economic activities that cross state lines. Although the federal government does not have absolute power over all laws, in this context, the ruling significantly limited state authority by highlighting the importance of a unified regulatory framework for interstate commerce. As a result, the correct understanding of the impact of this ruling is that states are indeed required to adhere to federal regulations in this area, ensuring consistency and preventing conflicting state laws that could hinder interstate trade.