Eleanor Finch
The United States Constitution, written in 1787, is the oldest written national constitution still in use. It defines the basic framework of the federal government and the rights of citizens. The Constitution has been amended 27 times, with the first 10 amendments being ratified in 1791 and known as the Bill of Rights. The process of amending the Constitution involves two steps: proposals must be adopted by either Congress or a national convention, and then ratified by three-fourths of the states. The US Constitution has influenced other countries' constitutional development, such as that of the Philippines and China.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of constitutions in US history | 1 |
| Date written | Summer of 1787 |
| Location written | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Number of authors | 55 delegates |
| Date signed | September 17, 1787 |
| Date ratified | June 21, 1788 |
| Number of amendments | 27 |
| Number of articles | 7 |
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What You'll Learn
- The US Constitution is the oldest written national constitution still in use
- The authors of the Constitution were influenced by the Articles of Confederation
- The Constitution was written in 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788
- There have been 27 amendments to the Constitution
The US Constitution is the oldest written national constitution still in use
The US Constitution, written in 1787, is the oldest written national constitution still in use. It was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788, after nine states approved it as per Article VII. The US Constitution defines the basic framework of the federal government and the basic rights of citizens. It consists of seven articles, the first of which describes the Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government. It establishes the manner of election and the qualifications of members of each body. For instance, representatives must be at least 25 years old, be a citizen of the United States for seven years, and live in the state they represent.
The US Constitution has been amended several times, with 27 amendments made to date. The first ten amendments, collectively known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791. The process of amending the Constitution involves two steps. Firstly, proposals must be adopted either by a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives or by a national convention. Secondly, the proposed amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of the states, either through the consent of state legislatures or state ratifying conventions.
The US Constitution is considered a landmark document in the Western world. It was created to address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation, which attempted to retain independence and sovereignty for the states but deprived the national government of essential powers. The Constitution established a system of checks and balances, with Congress intended to be part of this system. The courts established by the Constitution, including the Supreme Court of the United States, interpret and regulate the government under the Constitution, ensuring that its provisions are upheld.
The US Constitution has been influential globally, with countries such as China and the Philippines drawing inspiration from it in their quest for democratic reforms and constitutional development. The Iroquois Confederacy's political concepts and ideas are also believed to have influenced the US Constitution, although the extent of this influence is debated by historians.
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The authors of the Constitution were influenced by the Articles of Confederation
The United States Constitution, which came into effect in 1789, is the second and current constitution of the country. The first constitution, the Articles of Confederation, was in force from 1781 until 1789. The Articles of Confederation served as a "rulebook" for how the new nation should function. It was an early body of law in the Thirteen Colonies and served as the nation's first frame of government during the American Revolution.
The Articles of Confederation established a ""league of friendship" for the 13 sovereign and independent states. Each state retained "every Power... which is not by this confederation expressly delegated to the United States." The Articles also outlined a Congress with representation not based on population—each state had one vote. The Articles gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it lacked enforcement powers, couldn't regulate commerce, and couldn't print money.
A few years after the Revolutionary War, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington feared that the young country was on the brink of collapse due to the limitations of the Articles of Confederation. Disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade threatened to tear the country apart. The states were also on the brink of economic disaster, and the central government had little power to settle quarrels between states.
In response to these concerns, a Constitutional Convention was assembled in Philadelphia in May 1787 to revise the Articles of Confederation. The delegates created a completely new government, establishing a powerful central government to address the challenges facing the nation. The new Constitution, which remains in effect today, was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788.
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The Constitution was written in 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The United States Constitution, which was written in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1787, has been amended 27 times since its ratification in 1788. The Constitution comprises seven articles that outline the fundamental framework of the federal government. The first three articles address the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government, respectively. Amendments to the Constitution are subject to a rigorous process, requiring adoption by Congress or a national convention and subsequent ratification by three-fourths of the states.
The writing of the Constitution was a significant event in US history, taking place at a pivotal moment in the nation's early years. The year 1787 marked a period of political and social upheaval, with anti-Federalist riots and a backlash against the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution aimed to address these issues and establish a stronger national government.
The Philadelphia Convention, which commenced on May 25, 1787, was a pivotal moment in the creation of the Constitution. General George Washington was elected unanimously to preside over the convention, and the proceedings were marked by secrecy and security. The convention brought together delegates from various states, including the notable delegate James Madison from Virginia.
The Constitution has been influenced by various political concepts and ideas. Scholars have debated the extent of the Iroquois Confederacy's influence on the Constitution, with some claiming it was significant and others arguing it was minimal. Additionally, the ideas of revolutionary war veteran Royall Tyler and his contemporary critiques of the upper classes may have also played a role in shaping the Constitution.
The Constitution has been amended numerous times since its ratification to address changing societal needs and perspectives. The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791 and form the foundation of individual liberties and rights in the United States. The amendment process ensures that the Constitution remains a living document, capable of adapting to the evolving needs of the nation while preserving the fundamental framework established in 1787.
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The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788
The United States Constitution, the oldest written national constitution still in use, was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788. It is a landmark document of the Western world, defining the principal organs of government, their jurisdictions, and the basic rights of citizens. The Constitution was written in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, including General George Washington, who was unanimously elected as the Convention's president.
The Constitution was created in response to the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation, which had attempted to retain as much independence and sovereignty for the states as possible while assigning only nationally important functions to the central government. However, the national government's inability to act during crises like Shays' Rebellion (1786-87) in Massachusetts highlighted the need for a stronger central government with more powers, including direct taxation and the ability to regulate interstate commerce.
The Constitution's main provisions include seven articles that outline 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, and establishes the manner of election and qualifications for members. It sets the age requirement for representatives at 25 years old, along with citizenship and residency requirements.
The process of amending the Constitution involves two steps. Firstly, proposals must be adopted by either a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives or a national convention. Secondly, the proposed amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of the states (38 out of 50), either through the consent of state legislatures or state ratifying conventions. The Constitution has been amended 27 times, with the first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, being ratified on December 15, 1791.
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There have been 27 amendments to the Constitution
The US Constitution, the oldest written national constitution still in use, has been amended 27 times. It was written in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the summer of 1787 by 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention and was ratified on June 21, 1788. The Constitution's seven articles define the basic framework of the federal government and the rights of citizens.
The first 10 amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791. These amendments were proposed by Congress in 1789 in response to demands from several states that a bill of rights be included in the Constitution. The Bill of Rights includes guarantees of freedom of speech and freedom of religion.
The process of amending the Constitution involves two steps. First, a proposed amendment must be adopted by either a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress or a national convention called by two-thirds of the state legislatures. Second, the amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of the states, either through the consent of the state legislatures or state ratifying conventions.
The most recent amendment to the Constitution is the Twenty-first Amendment, which repealed the Eighteenth Amendment and ended prohibition. The Twenty-first Amendment is also the only amendment to be ratified by state ratifying conventions rather than the state legislatures.
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Frequently asked questions
There is only one US Constitution, which was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788.
There have been 27 amendments to the US Constitution, beginning with the Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments, ratified on December 15, 1791.
There are two steps to amending the US Constitution. First, a proposed amendment must be adopted by either a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives or a national convention. Second, the proposed amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of the states (38 out of 50), with each state's legislature or state ratifying convention deciding whether to consent.
The US Constitution includes seven articles that define the basic framework of the federal government. Article I describes Congress, the legislative branch, and establishes the manner of election and qualifications of members.
The US Constitution is the fundamental law of the US federal system of government and the oldest written national constitution still in use. It defines the principal organs of government, their jurisdictions, and the basic rights of citizens.
