Eleanor Finch
The US Constitution, beginning with the words We the People, is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world. It was proposed on September 17, 1787, by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and ratified by conventions in each state. The US Constitution contains 4,543 words, including the signatures of 39 of the 55 delegates representing the states. It is composed of the preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments, the first 10 of which are known as the Bill of Rights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of words | 4,543 |
| Opening words | "We the People" |
| Number of amendments | 27 |
| Number of articles | 7 |
| First 10 amendments | The Bill of Rights |
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What You'll Learn
- The US Constitution is 4,543 words long, including the signatures of 39 delegates
- The Constitution is made up of a preamble, seven articles and 27 amendments
- The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights
- Article I details the US Congress and its function
- Article IV, Article V and Article VI embody concepts of federalism
The US Constitution is 4,543 words long, including the signatures of 39 delegates
The US Constitution, comprising a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments, is 4,543 words long, including the signatures of 39 delegates. The drafting of the Constitution, often referred to as its framing, was completed at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 17, 1787, and it went into effect in June 1788 when it was ratified by nine states. The Constitution is a document that establishes the basic principles and laws of a nation, determining the powers and duties of the government and guaranteeing certain rights to the people.
The Constitution begins with the famous words, "We the People," which represent the idea that the people, and not the states, are the source of the government's legitimacy. This phrase was coined by Gouverneur Morris of Pennsylvania, who chaired the convention's Committee of Style. The Constitution's seven articles define the basic framework of the federal government. Article I, the longest article, details the form and function of the United States Congress, describing it as a bicameral body composed of a Senate and a House of Representatives. It also designates all legislative powers to Congress and has been amended the most out of all the articles.
Article II establishes the executive branch of the government, with the President of the United States at its head. It outlines the duties of the president, vice-president, and establishes the president as the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. Article III focuses on the judicial branch, naming the Supreme Court as the highest court in the land and detailing the requirements for treason convictions and punishments. Articles IV, V, and VI embody concepts of federalism, outlining the rights and responsibilities of state governments and their relationship with the federal government. Article VII establishes the procedure used by the original 13 states to ratify the Constitution.
The 27 amendments to the Constitution include significant changes such as establishing limits on the power of the judiciary, outlining the process for choosing the president and vice-president, abolishing slavery, detailing the rights of citizens, prohibiting the use of race as a criterion for denying citizens the right to vote, and granting Congress the right to establish an income tax. The first ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights, with later amendments covering a range of topics such as the election of senators, the prohibition of liquor, and the extension of voting rights to women.
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The Constitution is made up of a preamble, seven articles and 27 amendments
The Constitution of the United States is a foundational document that establishes the structure and principles of the US federal government. It is comprised of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments, each playing a specific role in outlining the nation's governing principles and protecting the rights of its citizens.
The preamble serves as an introduction to the Constitution and sets the tone for the entire document. In a concise 52-word paragraph, it communicates the intentions of the framers and the purpose of the Constitution. Drafted in Philadelphia in 1787, the preamble does not define government powers or individual rights but outlines key objectives, including the establishment of justice.
The seven articles of the Constitution make up the structural constitution, signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788. They outline the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various branches of the government. The first three articles focus on the federal government's structure, powers, and limitations, while the remaining four articles address state-related matters, the election process, and the implementation of the Constitution.
Each of the 27 amendments to the Constitution has contributed significantly to shaping the nation's laws and ensuring the protection of citizens' rights and freedoms. The process of amending the Constitution demonstrates the flexibility and adaptability of the nation's governing document, allowing it to evolve with the changing needs and values of American society. Notable amendments include the Bill of Rights, which guarantees fundamental freedoms, and the Reconstruction Amendments, which address civil rights and voting rights.
Together, the preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments of the US Constitution form the foundation upon which the American political system operates, safeguarding individual liberties and ensuring a balanced distribution of power. The Constitution's enduring legacy lies in its ability to be interpreted and adapted over time, shaping the country's legal and political landscape while upholding the core values upon which the nation was built.
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The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights
The US Constitution is composed of the Preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The first ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights. These amendments were ratified on December 15, 1791, and form what is known as the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution because the Constitution lacked limits on government power. Federalists advocated for a strong national government, while Anti-Federalists wanted power to remain with state and local governments and favoured a bill of rights to safeguard individual liberty.
James Madison wrote the amendments as a solution to limit government power and protect individual liberties through the Constitution. For example, the Founders saw the ability to speak and worship freely as a natural right protected by the First Amendment. The First Amendment states that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
The Second Amendment states that a well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. The Third Amendment states that no soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. The Fourth Amendment safeguards citizens' right to be free from unreasonable government intrusion in their homes through the requirement of a warrant.
The Ninth Amendment states that the enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. The Tenth Amendment states that the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people. The Sixth Amendment provides additional protections to people accused of crimes, such as the right to a speedy and public trial, trial by an impartial jury in criminal cases, and to be informed of criminal charges.
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Article I details the US Congress and its function
The United States Constitution, composed of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments, outlines the framework for the US government and its functions. Article I, consisting of 10 sections, details the US Congress, its structure, powers, and limitations, forming the basis for the legislative branch of the US government.
Section 2 of Article I establishes the US Congress, comprising the Senate and the House of Representatives. It specifies the requirements for Representatives, including age, citizenship, and residency within the state they represent. The House of Representatives is to be elected by the people of the states every second year, with each state determining the qualifications of its electors.
Article I grants Congress the power to make all necessary laws to execute the powers vested in the US government by the Constitution. This includes the power to levy taxes, with certain restrictions, such as the prohibition on taxing exported goods from any state. Additionally, Congress is tasked with ensuring the progress of science and the arts by securing intellectual property rights for authors and inventors for limited periods.
The article also addresses the establishment of courts below the level of the Supreme Court and the power to define and punish crimes, including piracies and felonies on the high seas, as well as offences against international law. Congress holds the authority to declare war, raise and support armies, and make rules regarding captures during wartime.
Furthermore, Article I outlines the procedural rules of Congress. Each House is responsible for judging the elections, returns, and qualifications of its members, and a majority constitutes a quorum to conduct business. Each House can determine its rules of proceedings, punish or expel its members, and keep a journal of its proceedings, maintaining secrecy for certain parts. Additionally, the article stipulates that neither House shall adjourn for more than three days during a session of Congress without the consent of the other.
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Article IV, Article V and Article VI embody concepts of federalism
The US Constitution, starting with the words "We the People", consists of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. Article IV, Article V, and Article VI embody concepts of federalism, which is a system of government where power is shared between a central authority and various regional authorities.
Article IV of the US Constitution, also known as the "Full Faith and Credit Clause," establishes the concept of interstate relations and promotes a harmonious relationship between the states. It guarantees a republican form of government in each state and ensures that each state respects the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of the others. This article embodies federalism by recognizing the autonomy of each state while also fostering cooperation and ensuring a degree of uniformity across the nation.
Article V of the US Constitution outlines the process for amending the Constitution, reflecting the federalist principle of shared power between the federal government and the states. Amendments can be proposed by Congress with a two-thirds majority vote in both houses, or by a national convention called by Congress at the request of two-thirds of the state legislatures. Ratification of amendments can occur through approval by three-fourths of the state legislatures or by ratifying conventions in three-fourths of the states, demonstrating the important role of the states in the amendment process.
Article VI, also known as the "Supremacy Clause," establishes the Constitution, federal laws made under it, and treaties made under the authority of the United States as the supreme law of the land. This article embodies federalism by establishing the priority of federal law over state law in cases of conflict. The Supremacy Clause played a significant role in shaping the relationship between the federal government and the states, with the Supreme Court applying it to reinforce the division of power between them. The concept of dual federalism emerged, recognizing distinct and non-overlapping zones of constitutional authority for the federal government and the states.
The interpretation and application of these articles have evolved over time, with legal scholars and the Supreme Court providing insights into the complex nature of federalism and the balance of power between the federal and state governments in the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution contains 4,543 words, including the signatures of 39 of the 55 delegates representing the states.
The US Constitution is composed of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights.
Article I details the form and function of the United States Congress. Article II establishes the executive branch of government and sets the President of the United States at its head. Article III details the judicial branch of government and designates the Supreme Court as the highest court in the land. Article IV, Article V, and Article VI embody concepts of federalism, describing the rights and responsibilities of state governments, their relationship to the federal government, and the shared process of constitutional amendment. Article VII establishes the procedure used by the 13 states to ratify the Constitution.
The US Constitution is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world. It is unique in that it is set down in a comprehensive document, unlike the British Constitution, which is found in a variety of statutes and common law.
