The Commerce Clause · US History

In Gibbons v. Ogden, how did Chief Justice John Marshall define commerce?

  1. Only the buying and selling of goods
  2. Only manufacturing inside one state
  3. Any activity performed by a state government
  4. Commercial intercourse, including navigation
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: Commercial intercourse, including navigation

Marshall defined commerce broadly as commercial intercourse, not just buying and selling. This interpretation allowed navigation and other connected activities to fall within federal regulatory power.

Difficulty: Medium Question 5 of 20

Practice all 20 The Commerce Clause questions

Keep practicing

More The Commerce Clause questions