Malcolm Rivera
The United States Constitution, completed in Philadelphia in 1787, is the foundational legal document for the United States government. It consists of four sections: an introductory paragraph titled 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. Excluding the signatures and amendments, the original text of the Constitution contains approximately 4,543 words.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Word count of the Constitution not counting signatures | Approximately 4,543 |
| Number of signatures | 39 framers |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution has approximately 4,543 words
The US Constitution, completed in Philadelphia in 1787, has approximately 4,543 words. This word count does not include the 27 amendments or the signatures of the 39 framers. The Constitution is the foundational legal document for the United States government, and its relatively concise nature is one reason for its flexibility and endurance.
The Constitution includes four sections: an introductory paragraph, or Preamble; a list of seven Articles that outline the framework of the government; an untitled closing endorsement with the signatures; and 27 amendments adopted under Article V. The Preamble lays out the purposes of the new government, beginning with the now-famous words, "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity..."
The Articles that follow the Preamble provide the framework for the US government, outlining the roles of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Article I establishes the legislative branch, with a Congress consisting of a Senate and House of Representatives. Article II establishes the executive branch, with a President and Vice President. Article III establishes the judicial branch, with the Supreme Court and inferior tribunals.
The remaining Articles cover various other aspects of the government, including the election process, the rights of the states, and the amendment process. The Constitution also includes several compromises, such as the Connecticut Compromise, which proposed proportional representation in the lower house and equal representation in the Senate, giving each state two senators.
The Constitution's brevity and adaptability have allowed it to endure as a governing document, with only 27 amendments made since its inception. Its principles have stood the test of time, demonstrating the wisdom and foresight of its framers.
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The Constitution was signed by 39 framers
The United States Constitution, completed in Philadelphia in 1787, is the foundational legal document for the United States government. It is significantly shorter than many state constitutions, with approximately 4,543 words, not counting signatures and amendments. This relative brevity has contributed to its flexibility and endurance as a governing document.
The Constitution was drafted by 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, also known as framers. These individuals were appointed by the original states, except Rhode Island, which did not send any delegates. The delegates ranged in age from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin.
Of the 55 framers, only 39 signed the Constitution. Notably, Randolph, Mason, and Gerry were the only three present at the Constitution's adoption who refused to do so. George Reed signed on behalf of John Dickinson of Delaware, who was absent, bringing the total number of signatures to 39.
The signatories of the Constitution, along with those of the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation, are generally considered the Founding Fathers of the United States. These individuals are revered for their contributions to the creation and early development of the nation. Many of them, including Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Benjamin Franklin, were also wealthy slave owners.
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The Constitution has four sections
The US Constitution, originally drafted in 1787, has approximately 4,543 words, excluding signatures and amendments. It is one of the shortest national constitutions, and its concise nature allows for flexibility in governance.
The Constitution is divided into four sections, or articles, and a preamble. The first three articles establish the three branches of the US government and their powers: the Legislative Branch (Congress), the Executive Branch (the office of the President), and the Judicial Branch (the Federal court system).
Article I assigns the responsibility for making laws to the Legislative Branch (Congress). Congress is divided into two parts, or "Houses": the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives is composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the various states.
Article II establishes the Executive Branch, which is headed by the President. It outlines the powers and responsibilities of the President, including the role of Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.
Article III establishes the Judicial Branch, which is comprised of the Supreme Court and lower federal courts. This article outlines the structure and jurisdiction of the federal judiciary and establishes the powers of the Supreme Court.
The fourth and final article of the Constitution describes the relationship between the states and the Federal Government. It establishes the Constitution as the supreme law of the land and defines the amendment and ratification processes.
In addition to the four articles, the Constitution includes a preamble that outlines the purposes and principles of the document. The preamble begins with the famous phrase, "We the People of the United States..." and establishes the foundational ideals upon which the nation was built.
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The Constitution was completed in Philadelphia in 1787
The Constitution of the United States was completed in Philadelphia in 1787 and signed by 39 delegates. It serves as the foundational legal document for the United States government. The document is notable for its brevity, with approximately 4,543 words, not counting signatures and amendments. This word count is significantly shorter than many state constitutions, contributing to its flexibility and endurance as a governing document.
The Constitution includes four sections: an introductory paragraph called the Preamble, a list of seven Articles outlining the government's framework, an untitled closing endorsement with the signatures, and 27 amendments adopted under Article V. The Preamble sets out the purposes of the new government, beginning with the now-famous words, "We the People of the United States," which established the principle that the people, not the states, were the source of the government's legitimacy.
The seven Articles within the Constitution address various aspects of governance. They establish a bicameral legislature consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives, with the latter being chosen every second year by the people of the respective states. The Articles also outline the roles and responsibilities of the federal government, including the power to punish counterfeiting, promote scientific progress and the arts, establish inferior tribunals to the Supreme Court, and define and punish crimes committed on the high seas or against international law.
Additionally, the Articles address the role of the federal government in declaring war, raising and supporting armies, and providing for the common defence. They also outline the electoral process, including the role of electors and the voting procedure. The Constitution further addresses the issue of slavery, with compromises made to protect the slave trade and the representation of slave-holding states in the federal government. These compromises, while holding the Union together, also prolonged slavery and contributed to disproportional representation in the US.
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The Constitution has been amended 27 times
The United States Constitution, completed in Philadelphia in 1787, has been amended 27 times since its inception. The document, which serves as the foundational legal text for the US government, is notable for its brevity and flexibility, with an approximate word count of 4,543, excluding signatures and amendments.
The process of amending the Constitution is deliberately challenging. Chief Justice John Marshall wrote in the early 1800s that the Constitution was "to endure for ages to come." To ensure its longevity, the framers made it difficult to modify. A proposed amendment must be passed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and then ratified.
Amendments to the Constitution have had a significant impact on the rights of citizens and the functioning of the nation. The first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791. These initial amendments established fundamental freedoms and protections, including the right to free speech, the right to bear arms, and the prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment.
Subsequent amendments have addressed a range of issues, reflecting the evolving nature of American society. For example, amendments have been made to grant women the right to vote, abolish poll taxes, lower the minimum voting age, and enact and repeal Prohibition. Some proposals for new amendments include allowing voluntary school prayer, making English the official language, and abolishing the Electoral College.
The Constitution's enduring principles and adaptability have allowed it to remain a relevant and influential document in the United States, despite its relatively concise nature. The 27 amendments demonstrate how the nation has evolved while upholding the core values established in the original text.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution contains approximately 4,543 words, not including the signatures and all 27 amendments.
There are 39 signatures from delegates who endorsed the Constitution.
The Preamble is the introductory paragraph of the US Constitution, which lays out the purposes of the new government. It begins with the words, "We the People of the United States..."
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787.
