What is significant about the Supreme Court's decision in McCulloch v. Maryland? It was the first time the Supreme Court ruled on the meaning of the "commerce clause."

It was the first time the Supreme Court recognized an implied power of Congress.

It was the first time the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Congress against state laws.

It was the first time the Supreme Court struck down a state law as unconstitutional.

states

explanation:

as the old saying goes, all politics are local. state and federal governments affect our daily lives in numerous ways. yet, in our federal system, there is supposed to be a balance between federal and state power. as james madison envisioned it in federalist no. 51, “the power surrendered by the people” would be “divided between two distinct governments,” creating a balance of power that would enable the “different governments [to] control each other.”

small european communities with shared traditions consolidated into large new states (apex)