Use the excerpt to answer the question.
"The subject to be regulated is commerce, and . . . it becomes necessary to settle the meaning of the word. The counsel for the appellee [party appealing to a higher court] would limit it to traffic, to buying and selling, or the interchange of commodities, and do not admit that it comprehends [includes] navigation. . . . All America understands, and has uniformly understood, the word "commerce" to comprehend navigation. It was so understood, and must have been so understood, when the Constitution was framed. . . .
The word ‘among’ means intermingled with. A thing which is among others is intermingled with them. Commerce among the States cannot stop at the external boundary line of each State, but may be introduced into the interior.” - Chief Justice John Marshall, opinion of the court, Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)
Which of the following best summarizes this excerpt from John Marshall’s opinion?
A. The definition of commerce is differently interpreted by each state.
B. The most important area involving commerce is in securing the national economy.
C. The buying and selling of goods across state borders ought to fall under stricter laws.
D. The transportation and navigation of goods is part of the constitutional definition of commerce.
7 answers
When Adams became President, the war between the French and British was causing great difficulties for the United States on the high seas and intense partisanship [taking of sides] among contending factions within the Nation.
His administration focused on France, where the Directory, the ruling group, had refused to receive the American envoy and had suspended commercial relations.
Adams sent three commissioners to France, but in the spring of 1798 word arrived that the French Foreign Minister Talleyrand and the Directory had refused to negotiate with them unless they would first pay a substantial bribe. Adams reported the insult to Congress, and the Senate printed the correspondence, in which the Frenchmen were referred to only as "X, Y, and Z."…
President Adams did not call for a declaration of war, but hostilities began at sea. At first, American shipping was almost defenseless against French privateers, but by 1800 armed merchantmen and U.S. warships were clearing the sea-lanes. - WhiteHouse.gov
Based on the information in the excerpt, what can be inferred about the effect the war between France and England had on the United States?
A. The disagreements between political parties on issues relating to the war led to the inability of Congress to function.
B. The attacks on American shipping vessels led to a build-up of an American naval force.
C. The refusal to pay the bribe resulted in a suspension in French trade that deeply altered the American economy.
D. The unwillingness of the French to negotiate brought about a long period of distrust of the French Directory.
Lewis and Clark’s group are shown standing on the edge of a Native American camp, about to shake hands with the Natives’ leader. Many other Natives are standing nearby.
Which of Jefferson's objectives for the expedition of Lewis and Clark is best represented in this illustration?
A. forcing the territory’s Natives Americans from their land
B. documenting a safe route to the Pacific Ocean
C. learning about the territory’s Native Americans
D. gaining knowledge of the region’s geography