1. Gibbons v. Ogen
1824
By Nichole Poblano
7th period

2. Plaintiff’s side
Aaron Ogden, the plaintiff, had purchased an interest in the monopoly to operate steamboats that New York state had granted to Robert Fulton and Robert Livingston.

3. Defendant’s side
Thomas Gibbons, the defendant, operated a rival steamboat service between New York City and New Jersey ports. Ogden and Gibbons took this to court because they both wanted the steamboat route to themselves.

4. Decision and why
The Court ruled that under that clause Congress had powers to regulate any aspect of commerce that crossed state lines, including modes of transportation, and that such regulation preempted conflicting regulation by the states.

5. Repercussions
Gibbons v. Ogden expanded the powers of Congress through a single clause in the Constitution: the Commerce Clause of Article I, Section 8. Since Gibbons, the Commerce Clause has provided the basis for sweeping congressional power over several national issues.