What is the primary purpose of the United States Constitution?

The primary purpose of the United States Constitution is to outline the framework of government and protect individual rights. By establishing a structure for the federal government, including the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, the Constitution sets the rules for governance and delineates the powers allotted to each branch. This framework is essential for maintaining a system of checks and balances that prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful.

In addition to organizing government operations, the Constitution also incorporates the Bill of Rights, which explicitly safeguards individual liberties and freedoms such as speech, religion, and due process. This dual function of creating a government structure while simultaneously protecting the rights of citizens is central to the Constitution's purpose.

The other options lack relevance to the primary function of the Constitution. Establishing a national religion would conflict with the First Amendment's prohibition of an official religion. Regulating international trade is not a primary focus; while the Constitution grants Congress the power to regulate commerce, its overall purpose is much broader. Defining state boundaries is addressed in the context of state sovereignty and relation to the federal government, but it is not a primary aim of the Constitution itself. Thus, the essence of the Constitution lies in facilitating governance and safeguarding individual rights.