First we shall discuss McCulloch vs. Maryland, this case is extremely important and influential because it established the necessary and proper clause; which was the ability of congress to do things outside of what is specifically stated in the constitution, but is vital to the upkeep of our country and the constitution. In 1819 the Second bank of the United States of America was being established, and a branch was erected in Baltimore, Maryland, but the state was not happy because it competed with their own state ran the banks. So when the state of Maryland issued a tax, which only affected the federally ran bank, the bank refused to pay it, thus taking it into court. John Marshall, the Chief Justice, ruled two things in McCulloch vs. Maryland, first that Congress had the right to establish a bank or corporation, even though it is not specifically stated in the constitution, it is allowed under the Necessary and proper clause; it also established that states cannot tax the federal government or and federally ran institution, because the federal government reigns supreme over the states. This ruling is important because Marshall worded it as open ended as possible, allowing for the widest use of …show more content…
It was used in many of the cases we previously discussed, especially under civil rights. The fourteenth amendment gives anyone born or naturalized in the United States citizenship, and that no state can deny that or any person life, liberty, or property without due process; nor dent anyone equal protection under the law. As mentioned before, the fourteenth amendment has been tried in many Supreme Court cases, especially the ones mentioned above. When the amendment was congress had intended to define what was consider due process and equal protection under the law, because different states had different ideas, but as you can see the Supreme Court had the final say and how they would be defined. For example, in Gideon vs. Wainwright the court decided that the right to counsel, even if one could not afford it, was essential for the right to fair due process. This case along with others went on to define what the right to due process was, and the same principal applies to the equal protection under the law