What is McCulloch Vs. Maryland?

http://www.google.com/search?q=mcculloch+vs.+maryland+court+case&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

what is mercantilism?

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mercantilism

Mercantilism is trade policy of exporting more than importing

McCulloch v. Maryland was a landmark Supreme Court case in 1819 that involved the question of the power of the federal government and the authority of the states. In order to understand the case, it's important to know the facts, the legal question at hand, and the reasonings behind the Court's decision.

Here's how you can get a better understanding of McCulloch v. Maryland:

1. Begin with the facts: Read about the background details of the case. McCulloch, the defendant, was a cashier at the Baltimore branch of the Second Bank of the United States. Maryland, the plaintiff, sought to tax the bank, arguing that the Constitution did not grant Congress the power to establish a national bank.

2. Understand the legal question: The central issue in the case was whether Congress had the power, under the Constitution's Necessary and Proper Clause, to create a national bank, and whether Maryland had the authority to tax an instrument of the federal government.

3. Read the Court's decision: Find and read the majority opinion written by Chief Justice John Marshall to gain insight into the Court's reasoning. Marshall's decision concluded that Congress did have the power to establish a national bank as part of its implied powers, and that the state of Maryland could not tax the bank.

4. Study the arguments: Learn about the arguments presented by both sides in the case. Maryland argued that the bank was unconstitutional and that the state had the power to tax it. On the other hand, McCulloch argued that the bank was constitutional and that Maryland's tax was an unconstitutional interference with federal power.

5. Explore the historical context: To fully grasp the significance of the case, delve into the historical context surrounding the debate over federalism and the balance of power between the federal government and the states during the early years of the United States.

By following these steps, you will gain a thorough understanding of the case and the important legal principles it established.