Isabella Carter
The results of a new constitution can be transformative, as seen with the United States Constitution, which replaced the Articles of Confederation and created a powerful central government. The US Constitution, beginning with We the People, established a new framework where legitimacy was derived from the people, not the states. It introduced seven articles and 27 amendments, with the first 10 known as the Bill of Rights. The Supreme Court was also empowered to declare acts of Congress unconstitutional, and it gained criminal and civil contempt powers. The constitution's interpretation has evolved, with the Supreme Court playing a key role in adapting it to modern times.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of signatories | 39 |
| Date signed | September 17, 1787 |
| Number of articles | 7 |
| Preamble | "We the People" |
| Number of amendments | 27 |
| First 10 amendments | The Bill of Rights |
| Jurisdiction | Original jurisdiction with district courts, exclusive jurisdiction with intermediate appellate courts |
| Judicial powers | Criminal contempt, civil contempt, injunctive relief, habeas corpus remedy, imprisonment for contumacy, bad-faith litigation, failure to obey a writ of mandamus, Acts of Congress for rules of law and punishment, areas not covered by statute |
| Supreme Court | Does not have to hear every case; assumes power to declare acts of Congress as unconstitutional |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution establishes a powerful central government
The legislative branch is made up of Congress (the Senate and House of Representatives) and special agencies and offices that provide support services to Congress. The executive branch is headed by the President, who is the head of state, leader of the federal government, and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. The judicial branch is made up of the Supreme Court, which has the power to declare acts of Congress as unconstitutional, and federal courts, which have criminal and civil contempt powers.
The Constitution grants Congress the power to regulate commerce, coin money, regulate its value and the value of foreign coin, and fix the standard of weights and measures. It also grants Congress the power to raise and support armies, declare war, and grant letters of marque and reprisal. The Constitution also includes a Bill of Rights, which guarantees individual liberties such as freedom of speech and religion.
The US Constitution, with its establishment of a powerful central government, was a response to the weaknesses of the previous government under the Articles of Confederation, which had left the central government with insufficient power to regulate commerce, tax, or set commercial policy. The new Constitution sought to provide order and stability, with a "due supremacy of the national authority" while maintaining state power when "subordinately useful".
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The Supreme Court has discretionary jurisdiction
The US Constitution is composed of the Preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights. The opening words, "We the People", convey the idea that the people, not the states, are the source of the government's legitimacy.
The Constitution grants the Supreme Court discretionary jurisdiction, meaning that it does not have to hear every case brought before it. The Supreme Court is a co-equal branch of government, and its decrees must be enforceable. It assumes the power to declare acts of Congress as unconstitutional, but it self-limits its passing on constitutional questions. The Supreme Court justices once rode circuit to sit as panels to hear appeals from district courts. In 1891, Congress enacted a new system, where district courts would have original jurisdiction, and intermediate appellate courts (circuit courts) with exclusive jurisdiction heard regional appeals before consideration by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court has the power to enforce its decisions, with criminal and civil contempt powers granted by the Constitution. It may also imprison for contumacy, bad-faith litigation, and failure to obey a writ of mandamus. The Court's judicial power includes that granted by Acts of Congress for rules of law and punishment, and it extends to areas not covered by statute.
The Supreme Court has ruled on several significant cases, including Barnes v. Felix, where it held that the use of excessive force by law enforcement must be evaluated by looking at the totality of the circumstances, beyond the "moment of the threat". In another case, the Court ruled that there is no constitutional right to having an alien spouse admitted to the United States. The Court also affirmed the Oklahoma Supreme Court's decision that a charter school established by the Catholic Church violated the Constitution's Establishment Clause.
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The Constitution's main provisions include seven articles
The US Constitution is composed of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights. The seven articles define the basic framework of the federal government.
The first article establishes the legislative branch, the US Congress, and details its powers, including the ability to collect taxes, regulate commerce, and declare war.
Article Two establishes the executive branch, led by the President, and outlines the powers of the President, including the role of Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, the ability to appoint federal judges, and the power to grant pardons.
Article Three establishes the judicial branch, with the Supreme Court at its head, and outlines the powers of the judiciary, including the ability to review and overturn federal and state laws that conflict with the Constitution.
Article Four outlines the relationship between the states and the federal government, guaranteeing each state a republican form of government and requiring states to respect the laws and records of other states.
Article Five details the process for amending the Constitution, allowing for changes to be made to the document over time.
Article Six establishes the Constitution as the supreme law of the land and declares that federal law takes precedence over state law.
Article Seven outlines the process for ratifying the Constitution, requiring nine of the thirteen states to ratify for it to take effect.
The seven articles of the Constitution provide the foundation for the US government and its legal system, outlining the powers and responsibilities of the three branches of government and the relationship between the federal government and the states.
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The US Constitution is composed of the preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments
The US Constitution is a document that sets out the basic framework of the federal government and the source of the government's legitimacy. It is composed of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The preamble, introduced with the famous words "We the People", establishes that the people, 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 seven articles make up the structural constitution and define the framework of the federal government. They outline the powers and processes of the three branches of government: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The legislative branch, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, is responsible for creating and passing laws. The executive branch, led by the President, is responsible for enforcing those laws. The judicial branch, headed by the Supreme Court, interprets the laws and ensures their constitutionality.
The first three articles of the Constitution outline the powers and responsibilities of these three branches. Article I establishes the legislative branch, outlining the composition and powers of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Article II focuses on the executive branch, detailing the powers and duties of the President. Article III establishes the judicial branch, outlining the structure and jurisdiction of the federal court system, with the Supreme Court at its apex.
The remaining four articles of the Constitution address various other aspects of governance and the relationship between the federal government and the states. Article IV, for example, addresses the relationship between the states and guarantees each state a republican form of government. It also includes the Full Faith and Credit Clause, which requires states to recognize the laws and judicial proceedings of other states. Article V outlines the process for amending the Constitution, requiring a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress to propose an amendment and ratification by three-fourths of the states.
In addition to the seven articles, the Constitution includes 27 amendments. The first 10 amendments, collectively known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791 and protect various individual freedoms and rights, such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly, as well as the right to keep and bear arms. Other amendments address issues such as the abolition of slavery, voting rights, and the election process. The process of amending the Constitution allows for its evolution and adaptation to the changing needs and values of American society.
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The US Constitution was signed by 39 delegates
The US Constitution, which came into force in 1789, was signed by 39 delegates, with several others absent or refusing to sign. The delegates were appointed by the original 13 states, except for Rhode Island, which did not send any delegates. The ages of the delegates ranged from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to the sessions in a sedan chair.
The signing of the Constitution was the culmination of a process that began with the convening of the Federal Convention of 1787. This convention was called in response to a perception among a majority of delegates to Congress that the Articles of Confederation, which had established the first national government, needed significant revisions. The Articles' primary weakness was their failure to empower the central government to carry out essential functions, such as raising revenue, conducting diplomatic relations, and effectively managing western territories.
The convention debated competing proposals, including the \"New Jersey Plan,\" which retained the essential features of the Articles, and the \"Great Compromise,\" which prescribed a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the House and equal state representation in the Senate. After intense debates and revisions, the delegates produced the document known as the Constitution, which expanded the power of the central government while protecting the prerogatives of the states.
The final draft of the Constitution, presented to the convention on September 12, 1787, contained seven articles, a preamble, and a closing endorsement. The document was a series of compromises, and several delegates were disappointed in the result. Some left before the ceremony, and three others refused to sign. Benjamin Franklin, one of the signatories, summed up the sentiments of the group, acknowledging that the Constitution was a compromise but also expressing his hope that it would endure.
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Frequently asked questions
The new constitution resulted in a powerful central government, with the federal government's basic framework defined by seven articles. The Supreme Court also gained discretionary jurisdiction, meaning it does not have to hear every case brought to it.
The new constitution meant that the states were no longer the source of the government's legitimacy. Instead, "We the People" were now considered the source.
The new constitution gave Congress the power to regulate commerce and print money, which the states were previously in charge of.
