Gibbons v. Ogden clarified the scope of which constitutional clause?

• A. Supremacy Clause
• B. Necessary and Proper Clause
• C. Commerce Clause
• D. Equal Protection Clause

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is the scope of federal power under the Commerce Clause. Gibbons v. Ogden affirmed that Congress has the authority to regulate interstate commerce, and that this power includes more than just buying and selling across state lines. It covers navigation and all forms of commercial intercourse that affect trade between states. Because of this decision, federal regulation can preempt conflicting state laws in areas involving interstate commerce, strengthening federal authority in economic matters crossing state borders.

That’s why this is the correct choice: it specifically interprets the Commerce Clause. It isn’t about the Supremacy Clause (which concerns the supremacy of federal law over state laws in general), the Necessary and Proper Clause (which provides for implied powers but is not the focus of this ruling), or the Equal Protection Clause (which deals with equal treatment under the law).