What was the significance of the ruling in Gibbons v. Ogden?

The ruling in Gibbons v. Ogden was significant because it established that the federal government has the authority to regulate interstate commerce, which limited the power of individual states to control commerce that crossed state lines. The Supreme Court, in this case, determined that the Constitution granted Congress the exclusive power to regulate interstate commerce, thus setting a precedent that reinforced federal authority over trade and commerce. This ruling helped to create a more unified national market and ensured that states could not enact laws that would interfere with interstate trade.

In contrast, the other options address concepts that were not central to the decision in this case. The focus on federal authority over commerce was the key takeaway from the ruling, solidifying the importance of a strong national economic framework.