Malcolm Rivera
The U.S. Constitution, signed in 1787, outlines the organisation and operation of the American government. It is one of the country's founding documents, alongside the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. The Constitution was formed to secure the liberties of the people and set limits on the national government and the states. It has been extensively copied and has influenced all later constitutions worldwide. The quiz below tests your knowledge of the U.S. Constitution, providing an opportunity to learn more about this key document in American history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founding documents | Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights |
| Branches of the U.S. government | 3 |
| Members of the executive branch | President, Vice President, Presidential advisors, Cabinet, 15 executive departments, bureaus, agencies |
| First known use of the term "United States of America" | Thomas Paine, February 1776 |
| State that did not send deputies to the Constitutional Convention | Rhode Island and Providence Plantations |
| Father of the Constitution | James Madison |
| Date of signing | September 17, 1787 |
| First state to ratify | Delaware, December 7, 1787 |
| Ninth state to ratify | New Hampshire, June 21, 1788 |
| Document replaced by the Constitution | Articles of Confederation |
| Purpose of the Constitution | To make the people's liberties secure |
| Protection for a person accused of a crime | Fifth Amendment |
| Beginning words of the Constitution | We the People |
| Number of states needed to ratify the Constitution | 9 |
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What You'll Learn
The Founding Fathers
The oldest delegate was Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, aged 81, who was referred to as the "Sage of the Constitutional Convention". Franklin was so infirm that he had to be carried to the sessions in a sedan chair. The youngest delegate was Jonathan Dayton, aged 26.
James Madison of Virginia is known as the "Father of the Constitution" due to his significant contributions to its formation. Other notable Founding Fathers include Thomas Jefferson, who was absent from the Convention as he was the American Minister to France at the time, and Alexander Hamilton, whose financial plans in the 1790s included a proposal for a national bank.
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The Ratification Process
The road to ratifying the US Constitution was long and arduous. The country was governed by the Articles of Confederation until the new Constitution was ratified. The Articles of Confederation were tailored to a newly formed nation made up of states acting more like independent, sovereign countries. However, it became clear to some of America's leaders that future stability required a stronger, more centralized government.
In early May 1787, delegates from the states began to gather in Philadelphia to discuss the current framework of government. Representatives from all 13 states were invited to participate in the Convention. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut.
On June 21, 1788, the Constitution became the official framework of the US government when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it. Notice of this ratification was received by Congress on July 2, 1788. On September 13, 1788, Congress adopted a resolution declaring that electors should be appointed in the ratifying states on the first Wednesday in January 1789, that the electors vote for the President on the first Wednesday in February 1789, and that "the first Wednesday in March next [March 4, 1789] be the time and the present seat of Congress the place for commencing proceedings under the said constitution."
The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document. The Bill of Rights, consisting of the first ten amendments, was not ratified to become part of the Constitution until the end of the following year, on December 15, 1791.
The authority to amend the Constitution of the United States is derived from Article V of the Constitution. After Congress proposes an amendment, the Archivist of the United States, who heads the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), is charged with responsibility for administering the ratification process. A proposed amendment becomes part of the Constitution as soon as it is ratified by three-fourths of the States (38 out of 50 States).
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The US Government
The US Constitution outlines how the American government is organised and operates. It creates the three branches of the federal government and gives them the power to govern. These are the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
The legislative branch is formed by Congress, which includes the House of Representatives and the Senate. They pass laws, write spending bills, impeach officials, and approve treaties. The legislative branch is considered the most powerful as almost every action of the other two branches can be overridden by the Senate and/or the House of Representatives.
The executive branch includes the president, vice president, presidential advisors, and Cabinet, 15 executive departments, and hundreds of other bureaus and agencies. The president can be impeached and removed by Congress. The presidential cabinet is made up of the heads of the 15 main executive departments, such as Defence, Agriculture, and Education. These people are chosen by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
The third branch is the judicial branch, which is made up of courts ranging from the Supreme Court to local and city courts. The US Supreme Court has 9 judges, who are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. The judicial branch interprets laws.
The US Constitution also protects US citizens by outlining their basic rights. The first 10 amendments to the US Constitution are known as the Bill of Rights. The First Amendment, for example, states that Congress can make no law prohibiting religious practice. The freedoms of the press, speech, assembly, and the right to petition the government are also protected. The Fifth Amendment offers protections to those accused of crimes, such as the right to not be compelled to be a witness against oneself, and the right to not be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process. The Second Amendment protects the right to bear arms, as the founders believed a well-regulated citizen militia was key to a free state.
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Citizens' Rights
The US Constitution and civil rights laws guarantee basic rights to all US citizens. The Bill of Rights, which forms the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution, outlines these rights in relation to the government. It guarantees civil liberties such as freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion. The First Amendment provides several rights protections, including the right to assemble or gather with a group to protest or for other reasons, and the right to ask the government to fix problems. It also protects the right to hold and practice religious beliefs. This prevents the government from creating or favoring any particular religion.
The Ninth Amendment states that the rights listed in the Constitution are not exhaustive, and citizens retain other rights that have not been explicitly mentioned. Similarly, the Tenth Amendment specifies that the Federal Government only possesses the powers delegated to it within the Constitution. These amendments ensure that the government's power does not infringe on the inherent rights of the people.
Regardless of immigration status, individuals have guaranteed rights under the Constitution. This includes rights at the border, such as understanding your rights when interacting with law enforcement or customs officials. Additionally, citizens have rights regarding their digital presence, such as when searching for or applying for jobs online.
Students have the right to express their religion and beliefs, including wearing ceremonial tribal regalia during graduation. The Constitution also protects the rights of members of the LGBTQ+ community, ensuring that school rules or policies do not violate their rights. Understanding these rights is essential for all citizens to navigate their interactions with authorities and exercise their freedoms confidently.
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Influences and Comparisons
The US Constitution was influenced by a variety of sources, including earlier documents and political philosophy. The Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation were the most well-known and direct influences on the Constitution. The Declaration of Independence outlined the political philosophy of the American people, their dedication to liberty, political equality, limited government, and self-government, and described violations of rights. The Articles of Confederation, which governed the US after independence, established a federalist division of power between the states and the central government.
The US Constitution was also influenced by earlier documents from the colonial experience, such as the Mayflower Compact and the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut. The Mayflower Compact, signed by the Pilgrim voyagers before their arrival in Massachusetts in 1620, established a political covenant and consent to self-government. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, created in 1639, outlined a governing structure, including a legislative general assembly and governor, and protocols for towns to select their representatives.
In addition to these documents, the philosophy found in the US Constitution was influenced by Montesquieu's "Spirit of Laws," which was first published in 1748. Montesquieu's work, in turn, borrowed from the writings of the English philosopher John Locke, with whom the members of the Constitutional Convention were also familiar. The Constitution also built on centuries of colonial experience and government practices in England, the colonies, early state governments, and the struggles of the Continental Congress.
The US Constitution has also influenced and been compared to later constitutions and documents from other countries. For example, the Philippine Constitution, also known as the Malolos Constitution, was influenced by the US Constitution and adopted a federalist system of government.
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Frequently asked questions
They were appointed by the legislatures of the different states.
The first known use of the formal term was in the Declaration of Independence.
Dr B.R. Ambedkar.
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787.
