What is the supreme law of the land?

The Constitution is recognized as the supreme law of the land due to its foundational role in outlining the structure, functions, and limits of government, as well as the rights of citizens. Established in 1787 and ratified in 1788, the Constitution forms the legal framework for the United States government, ensuring that all laws, policies, and actions taken by both federal and state governments are in alignment with its principles.

This supremacy is affirmed in the Supremacy Clause (Article VI, Clause 2) of the Constitution, which states that the Constitution and federal laws made in accordance with it shall be the highest form of law. This means that if there is ever a conflict between state law and federal law, federal law prevails, provided it is constitutional.

The other options, while significant in American history and governance, do not hold the same legal authority. The Declaration of Independence announced the colonies' separation from British rule but does not have legal force. The Bill of Rights consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, outlining specific rights and freedoms but does not itself constitute the governing framework. The Federalist Papers are a collection of writings advocating for the ratification of the Constitution, serving as important historical documents, but they do not have any