Article Six of the United States Constitution

Article Six of the United States Constitution establishes the laws and treaties of the United States made in accordance with it as the supreme law of the land, mandates a oath of office for all officers of the United States and the states, barring religious tests as a requirement for holding a governmental position. It also validates national debt created under the Articles of Confederation and includes a supremacy clause.

Text

The text of Article Six establishes several points:

1. All Debts incurred under the authority of the Articles of Confederation are to be considered valid against the United States under the Constitution. 2. The 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. 3. The judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding. 4. All executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation to support this Constitution. 5. No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.

Supremacy Clause

The most significant aspect of Article Six is the Supremacy Clause, which establishes that the Constitution, federal laws made pursuant to it, and treaties made under its authority, constitute the supreme law of the land. It is this clause that allows for the federal government to override state laws in matters covered by federal legislation.

No Religious Test Clause

Article Six also contains a clause that prohibits the United States government from requiring a religious test as a qualification for holding a governmental position. This provision supports the separation of church and state and ensures that all individuals, regardless of their religious beliefs or lack thereof, are eligible to serve in government.

Historical Context

Article Six was included in the Constitution to address concerns that arose under the Articles of Confederation, particularly regarding the lack of a strong federal government and the inability of Congress to enforce its legislation. The Supremacy Clause was crucial in establishing the authority of the federal government and ensuring that federal law would prevail in conflicts between federal and state law.

Impact

The implications of Article Six are far-reaching, affecting the relationship between state and federal governments, the interpretation of laws, and the administration of justice. It has been cited in numerous landmark Supreme Court cases, such as McCulloch v. Maryland and Gibbons v. Ogden, which have expanded the understanding and application of federal power.

See Also

• Constitution of the United States
• Federalism in the United States
• Supremacy Clause
• Oath of office
• Separation of church and state