Gibbons v. Ogden 1824
Background: The State of New York had granted a steamboat company owned by Robert Fulton and Robert Livingston the exclusive right to transport passengers from the Hudson River to N.Y. City. The two then gave Aaron Ogden the business of transporting passengers between N.Y. and New Jersey. Thomas Gibbons had been granted a similar licence by Congress and began to compete with Ogden for business. Ogden won the right to a monopoly in the N.Y. courts, but Gibbons took the case before the Supreme Court.
Issue: Did Congress's power to grant Gibbons a licence supersede the state of N.Y.'s power to grant Ogden a monopoly?
Ruling/Impact: The court ruled in favor of Gibbons and found that Ogden's state granted monopoly was void. This strengthened Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce, and helped establish the primacy of the federal government over the states in regulating the economy. This allowed for an increased federal role in promoting economic growth.
Issue: Did Congress's power to grant Gibbons a licence supersede the state of N.Y.'s power to grant Ogden a monopoly?
Ruling/Impact: The court ruled in favor of Gibbons and found that Ogden's state granted monopoly was void. This strengthened Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce, and helped establish the primacy of the federal government over the states in regulating the economy. This allowed for an increased federal role in promoting economic growth.
