Gibbons v. Ogden
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Gibbons v. Ogden was the landmark decision which Supreme Court held that the power to regulate interstate commerce was actually granted to the Congress by Commerce Clause in Article I of the Constitution.
The Commerce Power The Interstate Commerce Clause may be found in Article I, Section 8: "...To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes;"
The U.S. Supreme Court reversed the State of New York's decision on this case. The Court found that the power to regulate navigation fell under the existing rules concerning interstate commerce.
The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) regulated commercial transportation between the states: railroads, trucking, shipping, air freight; basically it regulated anything that moved goods. It originally started with the growth and development of railroads during the 19th century. The railroads in general were owned by fabulously wealthy investors, since it took a vast amount of capital to lay tracks and purchase the expensive engines and cars, the "high technology" of their day. In return for vast investments, the railroads expected vast profits, and they engaged in all sorts of unsavory tactics that were unfair to their customers. The ICC was established in 1887 following a Supreme Court decision in favor of railroads that ONLY the U.S. government could regulate interstate commerce, another blow against State's Rights. The U.S. Constitution only says the following about interstate commerce, describing the power of Congress: "To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes". Everything else that has come after is the result of legislation and court decisions.
A. foreign exports B. interstate transportation C. foreign trade D. interstate licenses