How did early writings influence American colonists?

Early writings influence the Founding Father's point of view,

Explanation:

The founding fathers of United States took their inspiration from the writers from enlightenment period. These writers advocated for the type of government that is controlled/influenced by all people. Not just a handful of elite groups.

The founding fathers adopted several ideas from these writers and include it in the declaration of independence. For example,  the phrase that give the people with the right to "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness"  is adopted from enlighten ideas.

b) a state law could be declared illegal if it contradicted the constitution.

explanation:

the conflict of this case originated when james w. mcculloch, a cashier of the baltimore branch of the second bank of the united states that the congress had chartered in 1816, refused to pay a tax imposed by the maryland state.

in the case, the state of maryland appealed that the establishment of a second bank was unconstitutional since the constitution didn't say anything about granting that power to congress. however, the case determined that even if such right wasn't specifically stated in the constitution, it was part of the "implied powers" of the government enunciated in article i, section 8.

the case also eliminated maryland's legislation to impose taxes to a national bank, asserting that even though the states retained the power of taxation, the constitution's laws are supreme and can not be controlled by the states, therefore, if a state law contradicts the constitution, it should be declared illegal.

explanation:

b. the 200th birthday of the united states