McCulloch v. Maryland established which principle?

• A. Affirmed the supremacy of the national government over the states.
• B. Upheld states' rights to tax federal institutions.
• C. Established the right to bear arms.
• D. Granted the right to a speedy trial.

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that the national government is supreme over the states. In McCulloch v. Maryland, the Supreme Court said Congress has powers beyond those listed in the Constitution if they’re necessary and proper to carry out its duties, and that states cannot tax federal institutions. Allowing a state to tax a federal bank would interfere with and undermine the national government, so Maryland’s tax was unconstitutional. This upholds the Supremacy Clause, making federal law the highest authority in the land. The other choices don’t fit because they refer to rights (bearing arms, speedy trial) that aren’t at issue in this case.