Question

In Gibbons v. Ogden of 1824, what did the Supreme Court decide on the relationship between state and federal legislation?
A.
State governments have explicit power, but the federal government can overturn any of the state's decisions.
B.
In our federal system, the federal government reigns supreme over all legislative decisions.
C.
Gibbons v. Ogden challenged the federal system established in the Constitution, and created the 14th amendment.
D.
State legislation may be enacted in areas reserved to the federal government only if concurrent jurisdiction is feasible.

Answer 1

B.

In Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) the Court, under Chief Justice John Marshall, held that the Commerce Clause gives Congress broad power to regulate interstate commerce (including navigation) and that federal law is supreme over conflicting state laws — so federal authority prevails in matters within its constitutional power.