Malcolm Rivera
The United States Constitution is a document that establishes the framework of the federal government and outlines the rights and responsibilities of its citizens. Beginning with the words We the People, the Constitution consists of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The first three articles embody the separation of powers, dividing the government into the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The Constitution has undergone several amendments to expand and protect the rights of citizens, such as the Fourteenth Amendment, which granted citizenship to former slaves and imposed limits on state power. The document can be found on permanent display at the National Archives, where visitors can learn about its history and significance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Opening words | "We the People" |
| Number of articles | 7 |
| Number of amendments | 27 |
| First 10 amendments | The Bill of Rights |
| First three articles | Embodies the doctrine of the separation of powers |
| Legislative branch | Bicameral Congress (Article I) |
| Executive branch | President and subordinate officers (Article II) |
| Judicial branch | Supreme Court and other federal courts (Article III) |
| Fourteenth Amendment (1868) | Granted U.S. citizenship to former slaves and all persons "subject to U.S. jurisdiction" |
| Fifteenth Amendment (1870) | Prohibits the use of race, colour, or previous condition of servitude in determining voting rights |
| Ratification | Requires 38 of the 50 states to ratify an amendment |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution's basic framework
The US Constitution is the foundation of the Federal Government and is often referred to as the supreme law of the land. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789.
The Constitution includes four sections: an introductory paragraph titled the Preamble, a list of seven Articles that define the government's framework, an untitled closing endorsement with the signatures of 39 framers, and 27 amendments that have been adopted under Article V. The Preamble, the Constitution's introductory paragraph, lays out the purposes of the new government. The first 52 words of the Constitution, drafted in six weeks during the hot Philadelphia summer of 1787, introduce the articles and amendments that follow. The Preamble does not define government powers or individual rights, but it sets the stage for the Constitution and clearly communicates the intentions of the framers and the purpose of the document. The first of five objectives outlined in the 52-word paragraph is "Establish Justice". The other objectives are to "insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity". The opening words, "We the People", represented a new thought: the idea that the people, and not the states, were the source of the government's legitimacy.
The seven Articles make up the structural constitution, signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788. The first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into three branches: the legislative, consisting of the bicameral Congress (Article I); the executive, consisting of the president and subordinate officers (Article II); and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts (Article III).
The Supreme Court assumes the power to declare acts of Congress as unconstitutional. The Court's guidance on basic problems of life and governance in a democracy is most effective when American political life reinforces its rulings.
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Amendments and the Bill of Rights
The US Constitution, which came into force on March 4, 1789, consists of seven articles that define the basic framework of the federal government. The first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into three branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial.
The Constitution has been amended 27 times, beginning with the Bill of Rights, which consists of the first 10 amendments. On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United States proposed 12 amendments to the Constitution. Ten of these 12 amendments were ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures on December 15, 1791. The ratified amendments constitute the first 10 amendments of the Constitution, or the US Bill of Rights. The amendments in the Bill of Rights include the right to freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion.
The Fourteenth Amendment (1868) granted United States citizenship to former slaves and all persons "subject to US jurisdiction". It also contained three new limits on state power: a state shall not violate a citizen's privileges or immunities; shall not deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law; and must guarantee all persons equal protection under the law. The Fifteenth Amendment (1870) prohibits the use of race, colour, or previous condition of servitude in determining which citizens may vote.
The process of amending the Constitution involves proposing an amendment and sending it to the Office of the Federal Register, which copies it and submits it to the states. An amendment becomes part of the Constitution as soon as it is ratified by three-fourths of the states (38 out of 50 states). Once the Office of the Federal Register verifies that it has received the required number of authenticated ratification documents, it drafts a formal proclamation certifying that the amendment is valid.
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The Supreme Court's role
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is the highest court in the federal judiciary of the United States. It plays a crucial role in the country's constitutional system of government. The Court's role is established by Article III of the Constitution, which vests the federal judicial power in "one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish."
One of the most important powers of the Supreme Court is its ability to conduct judicial review. This power allows the Court to determine whether a Legislative or Executive act violates the Constitution. The Court established this power in the landmark case of Marbury v. Madison in 1803. Since then, the Court has used judicial review to strike down laws and presidential directives that are found to be unconstitutional.
The Supreme Court also has the final say on when a right is protected by the Constitution and when a Constitutional right has been violated. This is particularly significant in relation to civil rights and liberties. For example, the Fourteenth Amendment (1868) granted citizenship to former slaves and imposed new limits on state power to protect the rights of citizens. The Supreme Court's interpretation of this Amendment expanded the protections of the Constitution and made most provisions of the Bill of Rights applicable to state and local governments.
Additionally, the Supreme Court plays a role in ensuring that each branch of the federal government recognizes the limits of its own power. This includes checking the power of the executive branch and the ability to rebuff presidential pretensions. The Court also has original jurisdiction over a narrow range of cases, such as suits between states or cases involving ambassadors and other public ministers.
The Supreme Court consists of one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices, who are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. They typically hold office for life, and their independence is protected by restrictions on salary decreases during their term.
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The Articles of Confederation
The Articles were drafted by the Second Continental Congress, which was composed of one representative from each colony. The final draft included language guaranteeing each state's sovereignty, leaving the matter of western land claims to individual states, and establishing a unicameral legislature with limited powers. Most delegates realised that the Articles were a flawed compromise, but they believed that it was better than an absence of formal national government.
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How to find the text of the Constitution
The US Constitution is composed of the Preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights. The Constitution is on permanent display at the National Archives. You can view all four pages of the document in person at the National Archives.
The US Constitution can also be accessed online. The National Archives website has a page dedicated to the Constitution of the United States, where you can read about its history and view the full text. The Library of Congress website also provides access to the Constitution, along with additional resources such as case summaries and podcasts related to constitutional topics.
The Constitution can also be found on Wikipedia, where you can read about its background, key provisions, and amendments. Wikipedia also provides information on how the Constitution has been interpreted and applied over time.
Additionally, the US government websites, such as senate.gov, may provide access to the Constitution or offer resources related to its implementation and impact.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution is a document that outlines the basic framework of the federal government and the rights of its citizens. It is composed of the Preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments.
All four pages of the US Constitution are on permanent display at the National Archives. You can also find a copy online at constitution.congress.gov.
The seven articles that make up the structural constitution were signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788. The first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791.
The US Constitution has been amended 27 times since its ratification. The process of amending the Constitution involves proposing a change, which must then be ratified by three-fourths of the States (38 out of 50). Some significant amendments include the Fourteenth Amendment (1868), which granted citizenship to former slaves, and the Fifteenth Amendment (1870), which prohibited the use of race or colour as a basis for denying the right to vote.
