Isabella Carter
The US Constitution is a concise document that has served as the foundation of the US political system since 1789. The original, handwritten on four or five pages of parchment by Jacob Shallus, is on permanent display at the National Archives. Since its inception, it has been amended 27 times, with the first ten amendments collectively known as the Bill of Rights. The Constitution outlines the framework of the federal government, including the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, and it has influenced the constitutions of other nations. Despite its relatively short length, the US Constitution is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution still in force.
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution's original length
The US Constitution, the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force, was originally drafted in 1787 and included seven articles delineating the framework of the federal government. The original, handwritten on five pages of parchment by Jacob Shallus, became operational in 1789 and has since been amended 27 times.
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).
Article IV, Article V, and Article VI embody concepts of federalism, describing the rights and responsibilities of state governments, the states in relation to the federal government, and the shared process of constitutional amendment. Article VII establishes the procedure for the 13 states to ratify the Constitution.
The Constitution's main provisions, including the seven articles, remain largely focused on their original purpose, despite amendments and changes to their wording. The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, collectively offer specific protections of individual liberty and justice and place restrictions on the powers of the government within the US states.
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Amendments and changes
The US Constitution is four pages long and contains seven articles. It has been amended 27 times since it became operational in 1789, with the first ten amendments being adopted and ratified simultaneously and known as the Bill of Rights. Amendments to the US Constitution are appended to the document, and the original text is still included in the articles, although provisions that have been repealed are usually bracketed or italicized.
The process of amending the Constitution involves sending the proposed amendment to the states for ratification. The Archivist of the United States is responsible for administering the ratification process. Once an amendment is properly ratified, the Archivist issues a certificate proclaiming that it has become an operative part of the Constitution.
The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments are known as the Reconstruction Amendments, while the majority of the 17 later amendments expand individual civil rights protections, address federal authority, or modify government processes and procedures.
Some notable examples of amendments include the Eighteenth Amendment, which established the prohibition of alcohol, and was later repealed by the Twenty-first Amendment. The Twenty-second Amendment limits the President to being elected to office only twice. The Seventeenth Amendment concerns the election of Senators, stipulating that vacancies should be filled by election, although the legislature of a State may empower its executive to make temporary appointments.
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The Constitution's influence
The US Constitution is four pages long and is on permanent display at the National Archives. It has had a profound influence on the history of ideas and legal thinking worldwide. It is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution still in force.
The Constitution's seven articles define the framework of the federal government, with the first three embodying the doctrine of the separation of powers. This separation divides the government into three branches: the legislative, consisting of the bicameral Congress; the executive, consisting of the president and other officers; and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts.
The US Constitution's influence is evident in the similarities of phrasing and borrowed passages in other constitutions. It has also shaped the principles of the rule of law, separation of powers, and recognition of individual rights. The Constitution's impact extends beyond specific provisions to include its amendment process, which allows for a living document that can adapt to changing circumstances.
The US Constitution has influenced nations worldwide, including emerging nations. For example, in the modern history of China, revolutionaries like Sun Yat-sen were inspired by American democracy and the US Constitution. Similarly, in the Philippines, José Rizal and Apolinario Mabini promoted reforms influenced by the US Constitution, advocating for Philippine representation in the Spanish Cortes and the promulgation of the Spanish Constitution in the islands.
The US Constitution's influence has also extended to Mexico, with Benito Juárez, a contemporary and ally of Abraham Lincoln, being motivated by the American experience of fundamental law and judicial review during the Mexican Reform War (1857-1861). Additionally, the framers of the Australian constitution were also influenced by the US Constitution's principles.
While the influence of the US Constitution remains significant, some observers argue that it has been waning since the 1980s as countries create new constitutions or update older ones.
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The Constitution's ratification
The US Constitution is four pages long and is on permanent display at the National Archives. It is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world.
The US Constitution was ratified by the 13 colonies on March 1, 1781, and it became operational in 1789. The ratification process, however, was long and arduous. The country was governed by the Articles of Confederation, which gave little power to the central government. It became clear to America's leaders that future stability required a stronger, more centralized government.
Alexander Hamilton led the call for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document. Representatives from all 13 states were invited to convene in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787, to participate in the convention. The convention concluded on September 17, 1787, with the signing of the new US Constitution by 38 out of 41 delegates present.
Under Article VII, the document would not be binding until its ratification by nine of the 13 states—a two-thirds majority. The Federalists, led by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay, published a series of commentaries, now known as The Federalist Papers, in support of ratification. Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut.
Some states opposed the Constitution on the grounds that it did not provide protection for rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. The Federalists promised that if the Constitution was adopted, amendments would be added to secure individual liberties. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify, and the Constitution became the official framework of the US government.
The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document. The Bill of Rights, comprising the first ten amendments, was ratified on December 15, 1791.
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The Constitution's interpretation
The Constitution of the United States is four pages long and is on permanent display at the National Archives. The original Constitution was handwritten on five pages of parchment by Jacob Shallus. 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). Amendments 1-10 constitute what is collectively known as the Bill of Rights, which offers specific protections of individual liberty and justice and places restrictions on the powers of the government within the U.S. states. The Constitution's interpretation has evolved over time, with the original text being supplemented and implemented by a large body of federal constitutional law.
The Constitution's main provisions include seven articles that define the basic framework of the federal government. Despite amendments, the focus of each article remains the same as when they were adopted in 1787. Article I describes the Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government, and establishes the manner of election and the qualifications of its members. Article II covers the executive branch, headed by the President, while Article III establishes the judicial branch, led by the Supreme Court.
Article IV, Article V, and Article VI embody concepts of federalism, outlining the rights and responsibilities of state governments, their relationship to the federal government, and the shared process of constitutional amendment. Article VII sets out the procedure for ratification by the 13 states. The interpretation of these articles has been shaped by case law, legal scholarship, and political debates over time.
In conclusion, the U.S. Constitution, spanning four pages, serves as the foundation of the country's governance. Its interpretation has evolved through amendments, case law, and legal scholarship. The focus of each of the seven articles has been preserved since their adoption in 1787, ensuring a consistent framework for the nation's legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The Constitution's interpretation continues to be a dynamic process, adapting to the changing needs and values of American society.
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Frequently asked questions
The original US Constitution was handwritten on five pages of parchment by Jacob Shallus. However, all four pages of the document are on permanent display at the National Archives.
The US Constitution includes 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 the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Articles IV, V, and VI embody concepts of federalism, describing the rights and responsibilities of state governments and their relationship to the federal government. Article VII establishes the procedure used by the 13 states to ratify the Constitution.
The purpose of the US Constitution is to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty for the people of the United States.
Yes, since the Constitution became operational in 1789, it has been amended 27 times. The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, protect individual liberty and justice and restrict government powers. The later amendments expand civil rights protections, address federal authority, and modify government processes.
