Which document is the supreme law of the United States?

• A. Declaration of Independence
• B. Articles of Confederation
• C. Constitution
• D. Bill of Rights

Answer: (C)

The supreme law of the United States is the Constitution. The key idea here is that a nation’s highest legal authority is the document that creates the government, lays out its powers, and serves as the ultimate standard for laws and government action. In the United States, the Constitution holds that role because the Supremacy Clause in Article VI makes the Constitution the top law, with federal laws and treaties also taking precedence over state laws when conflicts occur. This means courts and government officials must follow the Constitution first, and it guides how laws are written and applied across the country.

The other documents don’t serve that same role. The Declaration of Independence is a historical statement of principles, not a binding legal framework that governs laws. The Articles of Confederation was an early attempt at a national framework but created a weak central government and was replaced by the current Constitution. The Bill of Rights, while crucial for protecting individual rights, are amendments to the Constitution and do not stand alone as the supreme law.