What is the supreme law of the land?

Introduction to the United States

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  • 1. What is the supreme law of the land?

  • Answer:

  • The Constitution.

  • Explanation.

  • Back in 1787, more than 200 years ago,

  • the United States of America didn’t exist the way it does today.

  • There were just 13 states, and after they gained independence from Great Britain,

  • they had a very weak government.

  • They struggled to survive (or continue to exist) for several years with this weak government,

  • but they had many problems.

  • So the 13 states decided to work together

  • and write a new document (or written record) to make the country stronger and more unified (or as one group),

  • so they could work better together as one nation.

  • They called this new document the Constitution.

  • The word “Constitution” comes from the verb to constitute, meaning to put things together.

  • The Constitution joined (or put together) the 13 states into a new country.

  • Since that time,

  • the Constitution has been the supreme (or highest) law in the United States.

  • Everyone who lives in the United States must obey (or follow) the Constitution.

  • If there is a disagreement over whether something is legal (agrees with the law) or illegal (against the law),