The Gibbons v Ogden ruling established that the federal government has the power to regulate which of the following?

• A. Interstate trade
• B. Foreign policy
• C. Education policy
• D. Patent law

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that Congress has the power to regulate commerce that crosses state lines. In Gibbons v. Ogden, the Supreme Court ruled that federal authority over interstate trade (including navigation between states) is supreme, so a federal license can override a state monopoly. This broadened federal power to regulate any activity that affects more than one state, clarifying that what counts as commerce includes transportation and other cross-state economic activity. The ruling focuses on interstate trade, not foreign affairs, education policy, or patent law, which are separate areas of federal jurisdiction.