McCulloch v. Maryland

Definition

A landmark Supreme Court decision from 1819 that ruled states couldn't tax federal institutions like National Bank, asserting national supremacy over state authority.

Related terms

Federalism: A system in which power is divided between national and state governments.

National Supremacy Clause: Part of Article VI, Section 2 of the Constitution that mandates that national law is supreme to all other laws passed by states or any other subdivision of government.

State Sovereignty: The concept that states are in complete control within their territorial boundaries and can act independently from the dictates of the federal government.