What is the supreme law of the land?

The Constitution is referred to as the supreme law of the land because it establishes the framework for the government of the United States and serves as the highest legal authority in the country. According to Article VI, Clause 2 of the Constitution, it explicitly states that the Constitution, along with federal laws made pursuant to it, takes precedence over any state laws, meaning all laws must align with constitutional principles. This makes the Constitution the foundational legal document that guides and governs the nation's legal and political systems.

While the Declaration of Independence is a crucial historical document that outlines the principles of liberty and the justification for separation from Britain, it does not have the legal standing that the Constitution does. The Bill of Rights consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, which protect individual rights but do not serve as the overarching legal authority. The Articles of Confederation was the first governing document of the United States but was ultimately replaced because it lacked the necessary strength and structure, rendering it ineffective compared to the Constitution.