The Supreme Court case McCulloch v. Maryland clarified which of the following features of the U.S. government?

The case of McCulloch v. Maryland, decided in 1819, is significant because it established the principle of federal supremacy, affirming that federal laws take precedence over state laws when there is a conflict. This case arose when the state of Maryland attempted to impose a tax on the Second Bank of the United States, which was a federally chartered institution. The Supreme Court ruled that the state of Maryland could not tax the bank, highlighting that federal authority, as granted by the Constitution, holds superiority over state action.

This ruling solidified the understanding that the federal government has implied powers beyond those explicitly stated in the Constitution, enabling it to carry out its responsibilities effectively. By recognizing the supremacy of federal laws, the Court reinforced the intended structure of the U.S. government, ensuring a cohesive national policy that could not be undermined by individual state laws.