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Difficulty: EasyStructure and Core Principles of the U.S. Constitution

"This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding."
— Article VI, Clause 2 of the United States Constitution

Which of the following core constitutional principles is most directly established by this clause?

  1. The supremacy of federal law over conflicting state lawsAnswer
  2. B
    The preservation of absolute state sovereignty as it existed under the Articles of Confederation
  3. C
    The requirement that all federal laws receive unanimous approval from state legislatures
  4. D
    The total elimination of state governments to prevent the rise of political factions

Answer

The supremacy of federal law over conflicting state laws
The correct answer is correct because the Supremacy Clause (Article VI, Clause 2) establishes that the U.S. Constitution, federal laws made pursuant to it, and treaties constitute the supreme law of the land, meaning federal law overrides conflicting state laws or constitutions.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the provided excerpt from Article VI of the U.S. Constitution.
The text states that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties shall be the 'supreme Law of the Land' and that state judges are bound by them, regardless of conflicting state laws.
This establishes a hierarchy of laws where the national government's constitutional enactments override state actions.
2
Evaluate the core principles of the U.S. Constitution in relation to the text.
This text defines the relationship between the federal government and the states, establishing the principle of federal supremacy within the system of federalism.
Federalism divides power between the national and state governments, and the Supremacy Clause ensures that the national government's constitutional powers are supreme.
3
Confirm which option matches this definition and eliminate incorrect alternatives.
The option asserting the supremacy of federal law over conflicting state laws is correct, while options claiming absolute state sovereignty or a requirement for unanimous state consent are based on the Articles of Confederation.
This confirms the correct principle tested by the question.

Key Concept

Structure and Core Principles of the U.S. Constitution
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Structure and Core Principles of the U.S. Constitution

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