mcculloch v maryland 1819 Give a 1-2 paragraph summary about what this case was about and how it was significant in our history.
The case of McCulloch v. Maryland in 1819 dealt with the issue of the constitutionality of a state taxing a federal bank. The state of Maryland attempted to impose a tax on the Second Bank of the United States, which was established by Congress. James McCulloch, a cashier at the bank, refused to pay the tax and the case eventually reached the Supreme Court.
Chief Justice John Marshall delivered the opinion of the Court, ruling that Congress had the power to establish a national bank under the Necessary and Proper Clause of the Constitution. The Court also held that Maryland's attempt to tax the bank was unconstitutional, as it violated the principle of federal supremacy. This decision established the precedent that states cannot interfere in the legitimate exercise of federal power and strengthened the authority of the federal government. It confirmed the federal government's ability to establish a national bank and solidified the principle of implied powers. Additionally, the case emphasized the supremacy of federal laws over state laws, further clarifying the division of powers between the national and state governments.