Which federalism case established that Congress has the power to regulate interstate commerce?

Study for the AP Government and Politics Federalism Test. Analyze questions with hints and explanations. Ace your exam with our resources!

The case that established Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce is Gibbons v. Ogden. This landmark decision from 1824 clarified the scope of Congress's regulatory authority under the Commerce Clause of the Constitution. In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government had the exclusive power to regulate interstate commerce, which includes not only the buying and selling of goods between states but also all commercial activities that cross state lines.

The significance of this ruling lies in its expansive interpretation of the Commerce Clause, which has allowed Congress to pass a wide array of legislation affecting economic activity across state borders. It effectively established a broad definition of interstate commerce, ensuring that states could not enact conflicting regulations that would hinder or obstruct the free flow of trade between them. This decision has paved the way for federal regulation in various areas, such as transportation, labor, and environmental protection, thus shaping the dynamics of federalism in the United States.

The other cases mentioned do not center on the regulation of interstate commerce in the same way. McCulloch v. Maryland addressed the scope of federal powers and the relationship between state and federal authorities, while Dred Scott v. Sandford and Plessy v. Ferguson dealt with issues of slavery and civil rights, respectively,

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