implied
(to imply)
Define:
Use in a sentence:
appealed (to appeal)
Define:
Use in a sentence:
In 1791, the U.S. government created the first national bank. At this time, a
national bank was controversial. Some people believed that the national
government had the power to create a national bank. Others believed that the
national government did not have this power. When Thomas Jefferson was
president, he did not renew the national bank's charter. Jefferson believed in
placing greater limits on the power of the national government. However, when
James Madison became president he asked Congress to create a Second Bank
of the United States in 1816.
Many branches of the Bank of the United States were opened throughout the
country. Some states did not like these branches. The national banks competed
with state banks and people thought that the national banks were corrupt. In
addition, states were worried about the increasing power of the national
government.
The State of Maryland tried to close a branch of the Bank of the United States by
making that branch pay $15,000 in taxes. James McCulloch, who worked at the
Baltimore branch of the Bank of the United States, did not pay the tax. The State
of Maryland took him to court.
The State of Maryland argued that if the national government could regulate state
banks, the state could make rules for the national bank. The State of Maryland
also said that there was no permission in the Constitution for the national
government to create a national bank. Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the
Constitution lists the powers of Congress. It says nothing about creating a
national bank.
On the other hand, McCulloch's attorney argued that the power to create a
national bank was a "necessary and proper" power of Congress. It is true that
there is nothing in the Constitution about a national bank; however, there are
many things that the government must do that would be helped by a national
bank. Therefore, creating a national bank is an implied power of Congress.
McCulloch was convicted of violating Maryland's tax law. McCulloch then
appealed the lower court's decision to the Maryland Court of Appeals. After the
Maryland Court of Appeals agreed with the lower court's decision, McCulloch
appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States, which was led by Chief
Justice John Marshall.
Questions to Consider:
- In your opinion, why did states not like the idea of a national bank?
- What are the advantages of having a national bank? Review Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the
Constitution. Which powers of Congress could be
helped by a national bank?
-
Do the powers listed in Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution allow the
government to create a national bank?
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Should a state be able to tax a national bank? Why or why not?
- Why do you think the Supreme Court of the United States heard the case?
What made the case important?
