Jonah Patel
The US Constitution is a written document that outlines the structure and function of the government. It is composed of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The first three articles establish the three branches of government: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with a system of checks and balances to prevent any one branch from becoming dominant. The Constitution also divides power between the national and state governments, ensuring federal law takes precedence. It outlines the process for amending the document, requiring a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Describes the structure and operation of the government | 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) |
| Establishes a system of checks and balances | Prevents any one branch of government from becoming dominant |
| Defines the relationship between the states and the Federal Government | Federal law is supreme over state law |
| Establishes the process of law-making and amendment | Congress is divided into two parts: the House of Representatives and the Senate |
| Determines the powers of Congress | Listed in Article I, Section 8 |
| Outlines the office, qualifications, and duties of the President | Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, makes treaties, administers the federal government, ensures laws are executed, grants pardons, etc. |
| Provides for the division of powers between national and state governments | Also known as "federalism" |
| Protects individual liberty and justice | The first ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights |
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What You'll Learn
The Constitution outlines the structure of the government
The Constitution establishes three branches of government, each with its own powers and responsibilities: the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches. The Legislative Branch, or Congress, is responsible for making laws and is divided into two parts, or "Houses": the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives is composed of members who are elected for two-year terms and represent districts of equal numbers of people. The Senate, on the other hand, is composed of two senators from each state, serving six-year terms.
The Executive Branch is led by the President, who is both the head of state and head of government. The President has the power to make treaties, appoint federal judges, ambassadors, and other public officers, conduct foreign affairs, and ensure that laws are faithfully executed. The President also serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and can grant reprieves and pardons, except in cases of Congressional impeachment.
The Judicial Branch, or the Federal Court System, interprets the laws and ensures that they are applied fairly and equally to everyone. It is composed of federal judges who are appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate.
A system of checks and balances is established to prevent any one branch from becoming dominant, thus ensuring a balanced distribution of power.
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It establishes the three branches of government
The US Constitution establishes the three branches of government: the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. These are described in the first three articles of the Constitution, which also outline their powers and duties.
The Legislative branch, or Congress, is responsible for making laws. It is bicameral, meaning it is divided into two parts: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The number of representatives each state has depends on its population, ranging from two to forty. The Senate and House of Representatives together make up the legislature, which creates the laws of the nation.
The Executive branch is headed by the President, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and the leader of the federal government. The President enforces the laws made by the Legislative branch and has the power to veto legislation created by Congress. The Executive branch also includes various executive departments and agencies under the President's direct control.
The Judicial branch includes the Supreme Court and nine Justices. The Justices interpret laws according to the Constitution and hear cases pertaining to constitutional issues. The federal judicial system also includes lower courts in each state to hear cases involving federal matters. The Judicial branch is the highest court in the country and can overturn unconstitutional laws.
This system of checks and balances ensures that no one branch holds too much power and that each branch can hold the others accountable.
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It defines the powers of the legislative branch
The US Constitution, composed of a preamble and seven articles, establishes the Legislative Branch of the federal government, also known as Congress, and defines its powers. Article I, Section 1, the Legislative Vesting Clause, states that all federal legislative powers are vested in the 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 states. Each state's electors must meet the qualifications required for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislature. To become a Representative, one must be at least twenty-five years old, have been a US citizen for at least seven years, and be an inhabitant of the state in which they are chosen. Representatives hold office for two years and have the sole power of impeachment. The Senate, on the other hand, is composed of two Senators from each state, chosen by the state legislature for six-year terms. Senators must be at least thirty years old, have been a US citizen for at least nine years, and be an inhabitant of the state for which they are chosen. The Vice President of the United States serves as President of the Senate but has no vote unless there is a tie.
Article I, Section 8, outlines Congress's specific legislative authorities, including the power to tax and spend, borrow money, regulate interstate commerce, establish uniform rules on naturalization and bankruptcy, coin money, punish counterfeiters, establish post offices, regulate intellectual property, establish courts, punish maritime crimes, declare war, raise and support armies, govern enclaves, and make laws necessary for executing these powers.
While the Constitution grants Congress significant powers, it also imposes certain restrictions. Section 9, for example, denies Congress the power to suspend the writ of habeas corpus and prohibits bills of attainder, ex post facto laws, and certain restrictions on direct taxes, export taxes, and appropriations. Section 10 further limits the powers of the states, preventing them from entering into treaties, issuing bills of credit, coining money, and imposing duties on imports or exports without Congress's consent.
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It defines the powers of the executive branch
The Constitution of the United States establishes the Executive Branch of the federal government. The Executive Vesting Clause, in Section 1, Clause 1, of Article II, provides that the federal executive power is vested in the President of the United States, who acts as head of state and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. The President is responsible for implementing and enforcing the laws written by Congress and, to that end, appoints the heads of the Federal agencies, including the Cabinet. The Vice President is also part of the Executive Branch and assumes the Presidency in the event of the President's removal, death, resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the office.
Section 2, Clause 1 of Article II describes exclusive presidential powers, including the Commander in Chief authority, the power to require written opinions from the heads of executive departments, and the pardon power. Clause 2 defines the powers that the President shares with Congress, including the treaty-making power and the appointment power. Clause 3 expands on appointments by granting the President the power to make temporary appointments during Senate recess.
Section 3 of Article II requires the President to give Congress information on the state of the union and authorizes the President to recommend legislative measures. It also grants the President the power to receive ambassadors and other public ministers. The President has the power to sign legislation into law or to veto bills passed by Congress, although Congress may override a veto with a two-thirds vote of both houses. The Executive Branch conducts diplomacy with other nations, and the President has the power to negotiate and sign treaties, which must be ratified by two-thirds of the Senate.
The Executive Branch includes 22 agencies, such as the U.S. Customs Service, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Transportation Security Administration. These agencies have diverse missions, such as patrolling borders, protecting travelers, enforcing immigration laws, responding to emergencies, and promoting emergency prevention.
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It establishes the office, qualifications, and duties of the President
The United States Constitution establishes the office, qualifications, and duties of the President. The President is the head of the Executive Branch of the government of the United States. The President is the only elected official who represents everyone in the United States and is expected to be a unifying leader for the whole nation. The President's actions can affect people's daily lives and individual freedoms, as well as the common good of the nation and its international reputation.
The Constitution lists three qualifications for the Presidency: the President must be 35 years of age, be a natural-born citizen, and must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years. The President's duties include receiving the heads of state of other countries, travelling abroad as the nation's leader, and symbolic duties such as honouring veterans. The President can also recommend bills to Congress and hold meetings with party leaders to influence bills that may become law. The President can issue executive orders, which direct executive officers or clarify and help implement existing laws. The President has the power to extend pardons and clemencies for federal crimes, except in cases of impeachment. The President is also the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and is responsible for managing military strategy and ensuring the welfare of all members of the armed forces.
The Vice President is the second-highest official in the Executive Branch and is elected along with the President by the Electoral College. The Vice President's primary responsibility is to be ready to assume the Presidency if the President is unable to perform their duties due to death, resignation, or temporary incapacitation. The duties of the Vice President are generally at the discretion of the President, and they may take on a specific policy portfolio or serve as a top adviser. The President and Vice President, along with their senior staff, traditionally reside and work in the White House in Washington, D.C.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution establishes the three branches of government and their powers: Legislative (Congress), Executive (office of the President), and Judicial (Federal court system). It also outlines a system of checks and balances to prevent any one of these separate powers from becoming dominant.
The first three articles establish the three branches of government mentioned previously and outline their powers.
Article VI establishes the supremacy of the Constitution and federal laws/treaties over state laws. It also mandates that federal and state legislators, officers, and judges support the Constitution and prohibits religious tests as a qualification for any public office.
The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the head of state and government. They can make treaties, appoint federal judges and ambassadors, and grant reprieves and pardons (except in cases of impeachment).
The Constitution is designed to be difficult to alter, preventing a majority from easily granting excessive powers to the government or infringing on the rights of minorities. Amendments require a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures.
