Which statement best assesses the impact of the cases Marbury v. Madison and McCulloch v. Maryland on the Constitution?(1 point) Responses Both cases increased the powers of the executive branch. Both cases increased the powers of the executive branch. Both cases did not increase any federal power. Both cases did not increase any federal power. Both cases increased the powers of the federal government. Both cases increased the powers of the federal government. Both cases increased the powers of the judicial branch.
Both cases increased the powers of the judicial branch.
The correct answer is: Both cases increased the powers of the federal government.
The correct statement that assesses the impact of the cases Marbury v. Madison and McCulloch v. Maryland on the Constitution is "Both cases increased the powers of the federal government."
To understand why this statement is correct, let's briefly examine these two landmark Supreme Court cases and their impact on the Constitution.
1. Marbury v. Madison (1803): This case established the principle of judicial review, which allows the Supreme Court to declare laws or actions by the executive branch or Congress as unconstitutional. In this case, the Court asserted its power to determine the constitutionality of a law passed by Congress. By doing so, the case significantly enhanced the power of the federal judiciary, specifically the Supreme Court, in interpreting and applying the Constitution.
2. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819): This case dealt with the constitutionality of the creation of a national bank and the state of Maryland's attempt to tax it. The Supreme Court ruled that Congress had the authority, under the necessary and proper clause of the Constitution (Article I, Section 8), to establish a national bank. This decision further strengthened federal power by affirming the doctrine of implied powers, which allows Congress to take actions not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution but necessary to carry out its enumerated powers.
Both cases, Marbury v. Madison and McCulloch v. Maryland, had the effect of broadening the powers of the federal government. Therefore, the statement "Both cases increased the powers of the federal government" is the most accurate assessment of their impact on the Constitution.