Jonah Patel
The United States Constitution, which came into force on March 4, 1789, is the country's supreme law and comprises a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The seven articles outline the basic framework of the federal government, including the three branches of government and their powers: legislative (Congress), executive (office of the President), and judicial (Federal court system). The first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, with a system of checks and balances to prevent any one branch from becoming dominant. Articles four through seven describe the relationship between the states and the federal government, establish the Constitution as the supreme law, and define the amendment and ratification processes. The 27 amendments include the Bill of Rights, which guarantees basic individual protections such as freedom of speech and religion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Establishes the structure and operation of the government | Legislative (Congress), Executive (office of the President), and Judicial (Federal court system) |
| Defines the relationship between the states and the Federal Government | Establishes the Constitution as the supreme law of the land |
| Provides a system of checks and balances | Prevents any one branch from becoming dominant |
| Outlines the amendment and ratification processes | Amendments: 27 |
| Establishes basic rights and protections for citizens | Bill of Rights: Amendments 1–10 |
| Supersedes the Articles of Confederation | Superseded America's first constitution on March 4, 1789 |
| Provides a framework for a stronger federal government | Separation of powers and federalism |
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What You'll Learn
- The US Constitution establishes a federal government with three branches
- It outlines the legislative branch, Congress, and its two houses
- The executive branch is defined, with the office of the President
- The judicial branch is established, with the Federal court system
- The Constitution is the supreme law of the land
The US Constitution establishes a federal government with three branches
The legislative branch, described in Article I, is made up of the bicameral Congress, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. This branch is responsible for making laws. The executive branch, outlined in Article II, is headed by the President and their subordinate officers. The judicial branch, described in Article III, consists of the Supreme Court and other federal courts.
A system of checks and balances was also established to prevent any one of these three branches from becoming dominant. This system ensures that no single branch has too much power and that there is a balance of power between the federal government and the states.
The Constitution also outlines the amendment and ratification processes, with Article V explaining the more difficult process of amending the Constitution compared to making laws. Article VII describes the ratification process, which required nine states to enact the Constitution. The first ten amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, guaranteed basic individual protections such as freedom of speech and religion.
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It outlines the legislative branch, Congress, and its two houses
The United States Constitution outlines the legislative branch, Congress, and its two houses, the House of Representatives and the Senate, in Article I. This article establishes Congress as the legislative branch of the federal government, responsible for making laws.
Section 1 of Article I reads: "All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives." This section establishes the manner of election and the qualifications of members of each body. Representatives must be at least 25 years old, be citizens of the United States for seven years, and live in the state they represent.
The bicameral Congress was a compromise between large and small states. Large states wanted representation based on population, while small states wanted each state to have equal representation. The two-house structure of Congress allows for proportional representation in the House of Representatives and equal representation of states in the Senate.
The Constitution also outlines the amendment process in Article V, which is different and more difficult than the process for making laws. Amendments can be proposed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress or by two-thirds of the state legislatures applying to Congress, after which three-fourths of the state legislatures or state conventions must ratify the amendment.
Over time, various amendments have been made to the Constitution, modifying the way Congress operates. For example, the Seventeenth Amendment (1913) changed the election of senators from election by state legislatures to direct popular vote. The Twentieth Amendment (1933) shortened the time between Election Day and the start of presidential, vice-presidential, and congressional terms. The Twenty-seventh Amendment (1992) prevents members of Congress from granting themselves pay raises during their current session, addressing concerns about congressional pay increases.
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The executive branch is defined, with the office of the President
The US Constitution, the country's supreme law, comprises a preamble and seven articles that outline the structure and functioning of the federal government. The first three articles establish the three branches of government: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
The executive branch, which comprises the President and subordinate officers, is the focus of Article II. This article defines the role and powers of the President, who is the head of the executive branch. The President is responsible for executing and enforcing the laws of the land and serving as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The President also has the power to appoint federal judges, ambassadors, and other officers, with the advice and consent of the Senate.
The Constitution outlines the process for electing the President, which has been modified by subsequent amendments. The original text provided for the Electoral College to elect the President, with each state having a number of electors equal to its representation in Congress. The Twelfth Amendment changed this process, providing for separate electoral votes for President and Vice President. The current process, as amended by the Twentieth Amendment, involves the President and Vice President being elected by the people through the Electoral College, with each state having a number of electors equal to its total representation in both houses of Congress.
The Constitution also establishes the qualifications for the office of the President. To be eligible, an individual must be a natural-born citizen of the United States, be at least 35 years old, and have been a resident of the United States for at least 14 years. These qualifications cannot be changed or amended without a formal amendment to the Constitution.
The executive branch, led by the President, plays a crucial role in governing the country and executing the laws enacted by the legislative branch. The President's powers and responsibilities, as defined by the Constitution, provide a framework for the executive branch's functioning and its relationship with the other branches of government.
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The judicial branch is established, with the Federal court system
The Constitution of the United States established America's national government and fundamental laws, guaranteeing certain basic rights for its citizens. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789. The Constitution consists of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights.
The first three articles of the Constitution establish the three branches of government and their powers: the legislative (Congress), the executive (the office of the President), and the judicial (Federal court system). The judicial branch, as established by Article III, consists of the Supreme Court and other federal courts. This article formalised the concept of judicial review, which allows the Supreme Court to strike down laws that violate the Constitution.
The judicial branch plays a crucial role in interpreting and applying the law, resolving disputes, and ensuring justice is served. The establishment of the Federal court system created a unified and consistent legal framework across the nation, replacing the previous system where each state had its own courts with varying procedures and practices.
The Supreme Court, as the head of the judicial branch, is the final arbiter of the law and has the power to declare laws unconstitutional. This power of judicial review ensures that the laws of the land align with the principles and values enshrined in the Constitution. The Supreme Court also hears cases that involve disputes between states or interpretations of federal law, ensuring a uniform application of justice across the nation.
The establishment of the judicial branch and the Federal court system was a significant accomplishment of the Constitution, providing a framework for a fair and independent judiciary, and ensuring that the rights and liberties of the people are protected and upheld.
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The Constitution is the supreme law of the land
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789. The Constitution established America's national government and fundamental laws and guaranteed certain basic rights for its citizens. It was signed on September 17, 1787, by delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.
The Constitution is composed of a preamble and seven articles that describe the way the government is structured and how it operates. The first three articles establish the three branches of government and their powers: legislative (Congress), executive (office of the President), and judicial (Federal court system). A system of checks and balances prevents any one of these separate powers from becoming dominant.
Articles four through seven describe the relationship of the states to the Federal Government, establish the Constitution as the supreme law of the land, and define the amendment and ratification processes. Article IV, Article V, and Article VI embody concepts of federalism, outlining the rights and responsibilities of state governments, their relationship to the federal government, and the shared processes between them. Article V explains the amendment process, which is more difficult than the process for making laws. Article VI states that Federal law is supreme to state and local laws, and Article VII describes the ratification process for the Constitution.
The Constitution has been amended twenty-seven times since its inception. The first ten amendments, collectively known as the Bill of Rights, guarantee basic individual protections such as freedom of speech and religion. Other notable amendments include the Seventeenth Amendment (1913), which modifies the way senators are elected, and the Twenty-seventh Amendment (1992), which prevents members of Congress from granting themselves pay raises during the current session.
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