Question

which best describes how the outcome of gibbons v. ogden (1824) helped define the role of the federal government? the supreme court decided that only federal laws, not state laws, could be considered by the supreme court. the supreme court decided that the federal government had key powers over state governments. the supreme court decided that state laws were superior to those of the federal government. the supreme court decided that the federal government should be structured in a specific way.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze the Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) case. The case dealt with interstate commerce, and the Supreme Court's decision established that the federal government’s commerce power (under the Commerce Clause) gave it key powers over state governments in matters of interstate commerce, overriding conflicting state laws.

• The first option is incorrect because the Supreme Court considers both federal and state laws (when relevant), but this case was about federal power over interstate commerce, not what laws the Court considers.
• The third option is wrong as the case established federal power over state in commerce, not state superiority.
• The fourth option is incorrect as the case was about federal power in commerce, not the structure of the federal government.
• The second option is correct as the decision reinforced federal government's key powers (like commerce power) over state governments in relevant areas.

Answer:

B. The Supreme Court decided that the federal government had key powers over state governments.