What is the supreme law of the land?

The Constitution is recognized as the supreme law of the land because it establishes the framework of the federal government and outlines the fundamental rights and responsibilities of citizens. It is the highest form of law in the United States, meaning that any laws or actions by state or federal governments must conform to its principles. The supremacy clause, found in Article VI of the Constitution, explicitly states that the Constitution and federal laws made pursuant to it take precedence over state laws.

In contrast, the Declaration of Independence is a historic document declaring the colonies' separation from British rule, but it does not serve as a legal framework for governance. The Bill of Rights, which comprises the first ten amendments to the Constitution, protects individual liberties but is part of the overall Constitution. The Articles of Confederation were the first governing document of the United States but proved ineffective, leading to the creation of the current Constitution.