What is the primary purpose of the U.S. Constitution?

The primary purpose of the U.S. Constitution is to create a government structure. This foundational document outlines how the government is organized, assigns powers and responsibilities to various branches, and establishes the system of checks and balances that ensures no one branch becomes too powerful.

The Constitution also lays out the framework for federalism, delineating the relationship between the national and state governments. It encompasses the roles of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, providing a blueprint for how laws are made, enforced, and interpreted within the government.

While the Bill of Rights is a critical aspect of the Constitution, it serves to protect individual liberties and rights rather than define the overarching structure of government. Defining state laws falls primarily under the jurisdiction of state constitutions and legislatures, rather than the U.S. Constitution itself. Additionally, while the Constitution does create an environment that promotes trade by establishing a uniform regulatory framework, encouraging trade is not its primary purpose. Therefore, the option that highlights the creation of a government structure accurately reflects the main intent of the U.S. Constitution.