Article VI: The Supreme Law of the Land

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the Supremacy Clause in Article VI?

• establish state laws as supreme

• make the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties the supreme law of the land

• give equal weight to state and federal laws

• allow states to override federal laws

Multiple Choice

Why was Alexander Hamilton's plan to assume state debts controversial?

• It would weaken the national economy

• Southern states feared it would give too much power to the federal government

• It would increase taxes on individuals

• Northern states opposed it because they had less debt

Multiple Choice

What compromise was reached regarding the location of the U.S. capital in relation to the debt issue?

• capital was placed in New York as a concession to Northern states

• capital was located along the Potomac River to appease Southern states

• location was determined by a national referendum

• capital was split between two locations in the North and South

Multiple Select

How did the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education (1954) relate to the Supremacy Clause? (Hint: Two answers are correct)

• It allowed states to ignore federal civil rights laws

• It overturned the Plessy v. Ferguson decision

• It granted states more power in education policy

• It enforced the supremacy of federal law in school desegregation