Which document serves as the supreme law of the land in the United States?

The Constitution serves as the supreme law of the land in the United States. This means that it is the highest legal authority in the country, establishing the framework for the government and defining the rights and responsibilities of both the government and its citizens. The supremacy clause, found in Article VI of the Constitution, explicitly states that the Constitution, along with federal laws made in accordance with it, takes precedence over any state laws.

The Bill of Rights, while an important document that outlines the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed to individuals, acts as an amendment to the Constitution rather than serving as the supreme law itself. The Declaration of Independence is a foundational text that declared the United States' independence from British rule, focusing on principles of individual rights and government authority, but it does not possess legal authority in terms of governance. The Articles of Confederation served as the first constitution for the United States but were replaced by the current Constitution due to their weaknesses in establishing a strong federal government.