What is the supreme law of the land?

The Constitution is recognized as the supreme law of the land because it establishes the fundamental framework of the United States government and outlines the rights and responsibilities of its citizens. This status is affirmed in Article VI, Clause 2, known as the Supremacy Clause, which states that the Constitution, along with federal laws and treaties made pursuant to it, shall be the supreme law of the land. This means that any laws or actions taken by state or local governments cannot contradict or violate the principles set out in the Constitution.

The Declaration of Independence, while a critical historical document, primarily served as a statement of the colonies' intentions to separate from British rule, and it does not have legal standing as law. The Bill of Rights, consisting of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, outlines specific rights and freedoms but operates within the framework established by the Constitution rather than replacing it. The Articles of Confederation served as the first governing document of the United States but were ultimately replaced by the Constitution due to their inherent weaknesses and inability to create a strong, effective national government.