McCulloch v. Maryland

Definition

A landmark Supreme Court case from 1819 that established two important principles in constitutional law. First, the Constitution grants Congress implied powers for implementing the Constitution's express powers, and second, state action may not impede valid constitutional exercises of power by the Federal government.

Related terms

Implied Powers: Powers not explicitly named in the Constitution but assumed to exist due to their being necessary to implement the expressed powers.

Expressed Powers: Powers specifically named and given directly to the federal government by the US Constitution.

Federalism: A system of government where power is divided between a central authority (in this case, federal government) and constituent political units (states).