Jonah Patel
The US Constitution is composed of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The first ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights, which guarantees the fundamental rights of individuals, including freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, speedy jury trial in criminal cases, the right to bear arms, protection against excessive bail, and cruel and unusual punishment. The seven articles make up the structural constitution and each article is divided into sections.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Articles | 7 |
| First 10 Amendments | Bill of Rights |
| Amendments XI-XXVII | Address issues relating to lawsuits against states, the electoral vote, prohibition of slavery, equal protection, voting rights, and creation of the federal income tax |
| Amendment XVII | Election of Senators (1913) |
| Amendment XVIII | Prohibition (1919) |
| Amendment XIX | Women's Right to Vote (1920) |
| Amendment XX | Presidential Term and Succession (1933) |
| Amendment XXI | Repeal of Prohibition (1933) |
| Amendment XXII | Two Term Limit on President (1951) |
| Amendment XXIII | Presidential Vote in D.C. |
| Amendment XXVII | Compensation of Members of Congress (1992) |
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What You'll Learn
Legislative branch of government
The Legislative Branch of the US government is one of three primary branches of federal power outlined in the US Constitution. This branch is comprised of the House of Representatives and the Senate, forming the US Congress, which is responsible for making laws.
The House of Representatives, or the House, is one of the two chambers of Congress with the power to enact legislation. The number of voting representatives in the House is fixed by law at no more than 435, proportional to the population of each state. Representatives serve for a term of two years, and there is no limit on the number of terms that they may serve.
The Senate is the upper chamber of the US Congress, composed of senators elected from each state. Each state is equally represented by two senators who serve six-year terms, with one-third of the Senate elected every two years. The Senate has additional powers, including the ability to approve treaties and presidential appointments, and to confirm federal judges, including Supreme Court justices.
Congress has several enumerated powers granted by the Constitution, including the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, to pay debts, and to provide for the common defence and general welfare of the nation. It can also regulate commerce at the national level, as well as with foreign nations and Native American tribes. Congress has the authority to establish laws regarding naturalisation, bankruptcies, and the punishment of counterfeiting. Furthermore, Congress holds the sole power to impeach federal officials, and it can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both houses.
The Legislative Branch of the US government, through the House and Senate, fulfils a critical role in lawmaking and policy-shaping, while also providing a system of checks and balances on the executive and judicial branches.
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Executive branch of government
The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the United States. It is composed of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The seven articles are structured as follows:
Article II: Executive Branch of Government
Article II of the US Constitution establishes the executive branch of government, which is headed by the President of the United States. This article outlines the eligibility requirements for the office of President, stating that only a natural-born citizen or a citizen at the time of the Constitution's adoption is eligible for the presidency. It also sets the minimum age requirement at 35 years and mandates a residency requirement of 14 years within the United States.
Article II vests the executive power in the President and outlines the process of electing the President through a system of electors. It also includes the oath of office for the President, which affirms their duty to faithfully execute the office and defend the Constitution.
The executive branch also includes the Cabinet, which serves as an advisory body to the President. Cabinet members, including the vice president, heads of executive departments, and other high-ranking officials, are nominated by the President and approved by the Senate.
The President has the power to veto legislation created by Congress, nominate heads of federal agencies and high court appointees, and perform other executive functions. The executive branch operates within a system of checks and balances, where its actions can be influenced and regulated by the legislative and judicial branches of government.
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Supreme Court
The United States Constitution is composed of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments, with the first 10 amendments known as the Bill of Rights.
Article III of the Constitution establishes the Supreme Court as the highest judicial power in the United States. The Supreme Court plays a crucial role in interpreting and applying the Constitution, ensuring that the laws of the nation align with its foundational document.
The Supreme Court is composed of nine justices, including one Chief Justice, who are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. These justices serve lifetime appointments, ensuring their independence and allowing them to make decisions without fear of reprisal or removal.
One of the most significant roles of the Supreme Court is to rule on the constitutionality of laws and government actions. This power of judicial review allows the Court to strike down laws that it deems violate the Constitution, ensuring that the principles laid out in the Constitution are upheld.
The Court also hears appeals from lower federal courts and state courts, deciding on significant questions of federal law and resolving disputes between states. Its decisions shape the interpretation of the Constitution and set precedents that guide future legal rulings, influencing the direction of the country on matters ranging from civil rights to federal powers.
The Supreme Court's role, as outlined in Article III, is a cornerstone of the American system of checks and balances. By acting as a check on the other branches of government, the Court helps maintain the delicate balance of powers envisioned by the Founding Fathers and ensures that the rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution are protected.
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State relationships
The US Constitution is composed of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. Article IV of the Constitution, which was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788, defines the relationship between the states.
Article IV establishes the rights and responsibilities of states in relation to each other and to the federal government. It outlines the process for admitting new states to the Union and the requirements for statehood. It also addresses issues such as interstate relations, including extradition, and the full faith and credit given to the acts, records, and proceedings of other states.
One of the key provisions of Article IV is the Full Faith and Credit Clause, which requires states to recognize the laws, records, and judicial proceedings of other states. This ensures that contracts, marriages, and other legal actions are recognized across state lines. The Article also includes the Extradition Clause, which requires states to return fugitives to the state where they are wanted for trial.
In addition, Article IV addresses the role of the federal government in managing the territories of the United States and admitting new states to the Union. It outlines the process for admitting new states, which involves a combination of congressional action and ratification by the people of the proposed state. This process has been followed throughout US history as new states have been added to the Union.
Article IV also includes the Republican Guarantee Clause, which requires the federal government to guarantee to each state a republican form of government. This means that each state must have a government that is representative of the people and based on the rule of law, rather than a direct democracy or monarchy. This clause has been interpreted to give the federal government significant power over the structure and operations of state governments.
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Amendments
The US Constitution is composed of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The first ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights, which guarantees the fundamental rights of individuals, including freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, speedy jury trial in criminal cases, the right to bear arms, protection against excessive bail, and cruel and unusual punishment. Amendments 11 through 27 address issues relating to lawsuits against states, the electoral vote, the prohibition of slavery, equal protection, voting rights, and the creation of the federal income tax.
Some notable amendments include:
- Amendment XVII (1913) - Election of Senators
- Amendment XVIII (1919) - Prohibition of alcohol
- Amendment XIX (1920) - Women's right to vote
- Amendment XX (1933) - Presidential term and succession
- Amendment XXI (1933) - Repeal of Prohibition
- Amendment XXII (1951) - Two-term limit on the President
- Amendment XXIII (no date) - Presidential Vote in Washington, D.C.
- Amendment XXVII (1992) - Compensation of Members of Congress
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution is divided into seven articles, each dealing with a different topic.
Article I deals with the legislative branch of government, Article II with the executive branch, Article III establishes the Supreme Court, Article IV defines the relationship between states, Article V describes the procedure for amending the Constitution, Article VI declares the Constitution as "the supreme Law of the Land", and Article VII concerns the ratification process.
The Constitution also includes 27 amendments, the first 10 of which are known as the Bill of Rights, guaranteeing fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and press.
Some of the amendments include the XVII Amendment (Election of Senators, 1913), the XIX Amendment (Women's Right to Vote, 1920), and the XXVII Amendment (Compensation of Members of Congress, 1992).
