What did McCulloch v. Maryland confirm?

The case of McCulloch v. Maryland, decided in 1819, confirmed the constitutionality of the Bank of the United States. This landmark decision established that the federal government had the authority to create a national bank, utilizing the Necessary and Proper Clause of the Constitution. The ruling underscored the principle that the federal government could exercise powers not explicitly enumerated in the Constitution, as long as they were in pursuit of its constitutional responsibilities.

By affirming the constitutionality of the Bank, the case also reinforced the idea of implied powers, which are not directly stated but are deemed necessary to carry out the functions of government. This interpretation allowed for a broader understanding of federal authority, influencing the development of the federal banking system and the relationship between state and federal powers.

The other options do not pertain specifically to the McCulloch v. Maryland ruling. Equality under the law and the abolition of slavery relate to different cases and amendments in U.S. history, while the supremacy of state law contradicts the essence of the decision, which emphasized the supremacy of federal law over state law in cases of conflict.