Eleanor Finch
The Constitution of the United States, beginning with the iconic words We the People, 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 It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789.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 drafting of the Constitution, often referred to as its framing, took place at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia from May 25 to September 17, 1787. The document, originally intended as a revision of the Articles of Confederation, established a new form of government with three distinct branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. The Constitution has since been amended 27 times, with the first 10 amendments known as the Bill of Rights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How it begins | "We the People" or "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." |
| Number of articles | 7 |
| Amendments | 27 |
| First 10 amendments | Known as the Bill of Rights |
| Date of first 10 amendments | December 15, 1791 |
| Date of superseding the Articles of Confederation | March 4, 1789 |
| Date of completion of drafting | September 17, 1787 |
| Location of drafting | Constitutional Convention, Independence Hall, Philadelphia |
| Number of states that sent delegates | 12 of 13 (Rhode Island refused) |
| Number of pages | 4 |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution is the supreme law
The drafting of the Constitution, often referred to as its framing, took place at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. The convention was convened to amend the Articles of Confederation, which was the nation's first constitution. However, the delegates, chosen by the state legislatures, quickly began considering a completely new form of government. The Constitution introduced a bicameral (two-house) Congress, with a House of Representatives and a Senate, that would be elected based on state population.
One of the key features of the US Constitution is its delineation of the separation of powers. It divides the federal government into three branches: the legislative, consisting of the bicameral Congress; the executive, consisting of the President and subordinate officers; and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts. This separation of powers is designed to prevent the concentration of power in a single branch and to provide checks and balances on governmental authority.
The Constitution also includes provisions for the admission of new states to the Union. It stipulates that no new state shall be formed within the jurisdiction of an existing state without the consent of the legislatures of the states involved and Congress. Additionally, it guarantees that each state in the Union will have a Republican form of government and protects them against invasion and domestic violence.
Furthermore, the Constitution addresses the powers granted to Congress, such as the power to coin money, regulate its value, and fix the standard of weights and measures. It also includes provisions for calling forth the Militia to execute the laws, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions. The document has been amended several times, with the first 10 amendments known as the Bill of Rights, to further refine and define the rights and freedoms of American citizens.
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It superseded the Articles of Confederation
The beginning of the US Constitution, which starts with the words "We the People", is known as the Preamble. This document superseded the Articles of Confederation, which was the United States' first constitution.
The Articles of Confederation were adopted by the Continental Congress on November 15, 1777, and served as the country's first constitution. It established a league of friendship for the 13 sovereign and independent states, with each state retaining all powers not expressly delegated to the United States. The Articles outlined a Congress with representation not based on population, with each state holding one vote.
However, the Articles of Confederation had several limitations. The Confederation Congress had no enforcement powers, could not regulate commerce, and could not print money. There were also issues with raising a quorum due to low delegate attendance. The states' disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade threatened to tear the young country apart, leading to concerns that the country was on the brink of collapse.
In response to these issues, a Constitutional Convention was assembled in Philadelphia in May 1787 to revise the Articles of Confederation. The delegates quickly realized that the defects in the government could not be remedied by altering the Articles, and so they decided to create a completely new constitution. After three months of intense debate, the new Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and it remains in effect today.
The US Constitution established a powerful central government, addressing the concerns of those who believed that a strong central government was necessary to face the nation's challenges. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, providing a more effective framework for governing the growing number of states and ensuring the country's stability.
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The document was drafted at the Constitutional Convention
The United States Constitution 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 drafting of the Constitution, often referred to as its framing, was completed at the Constitutional Convention, which assembled at Independence Hall in Philadelphia between May 25 and September 17, 1787. Delegates to the convention were chosen by the state legislatures of 12 of the 13 original states; Rhode Island refused to send delegates. The convention's initial mandate was limited to amending the Articles of Confederation, which had proven highly ineffective in meeting the young nation's needs. However, delegates quickly began considering more extensive changes, including the creation of a bicameral (two-house) Congress, an elected chief executive, and an appointed judiciary.
The Constitutional Convention was a pivotal moment in American history, as it marked the beginning of a new form of government for the nation. The document drafted at the convention, officially known as the Constitution of the United States, established a federal government with three separate branches: the legislative, consisting of the bicameral Congress; the executive, consisting of the President and subordinate officers; and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts. This separation of powers was designed to protect against the concentration of power and ensure a balanced governance structure.
The Constitution also united the citizens of the United States as members of a whole, vesting the power of the union in the people. It acted as a colossal merger, bringing together states with diverse interests, laws, and cultures under a single national government. This unity was a significant departure from the previous system, where states acted together only for specific purposes under the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution's preamble, beginning with the famous words "We the People," reflects this unifying intent, expressing the desire to form a "more perfect Union" and secure the blessings of liberty for all Americans.
The process of drafting the Constitution at the Constitutional Convention was a collaborative and deliberative effort. The delegates to the convention, chosen by the state legislatures, represented the diverse interests and perspectives of the original states. They engaged in robust debates and discussions, considering various proposals and plans, such as the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan, before ultimately agreeing on the final document. This process exemplified the principles of democracy and representation that were central to the founding of the nation.
Within three days of its signing on September 17, 1787, the Constitution was submitted to the Congress of the Confederation in New York City, the nation's temporary capital. Despite the document's significant departure from the original mandate of amending the Articles of Confederation, the members of Congress voted unanimously to forward the proposal to the thirteen states for their ratification. This decision demonstrated a recognition of the necessity for a stronger and more unified form of government. The ratification process further emphasised the role of the states in shaping the nation's governance, as state legislatures organised "Federal Conventions" to ratify the document, ultimately leading to its adoption as the supreme law of the land.
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It was inscribed by Jacob Shallus on parchment
The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the United States of America. It was inscribed by Jacob Shallus on parchment and is on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum. The document was originally intended as a revision of the Articles of Confederation, which was the nation's first constitution. However, the Constitution introduced a completely new form of government.
The drafting of the Constitution, often referred to as its framing, was completed at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia between May 25 and September 17, 1787. The convention was assembled at Independence Hall, and delegates from 12 of the 13 original states were present; Rhode Island refused to send delegates. The convention's initial mandate was to amend the Articles of Confederation, which had been ineffective in meeting the needs of the young nation.
The Constitution is composed of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights. The document begins with the words, "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
The Constitution's first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into three branches: the legislative, consisting of a bicameral Congress (Article I); the executive, consisting of the President and subordinate officers (Article II); and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts (Article III).
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The first 10 amendments are the Bill of Rights
The United States Constitution, which begins with the words "We the People," is composed of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The first 10 amendments, ratified on December 15, 1791, are known as the Bill of Rights.
The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution because the original document lacked explicit limits on government power and protections for individual liberties. James Madison, then a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, proposed amendments to address this issue. However, several representatives, led by Roger Sherman, objected, arguing that Congress did not have the authority to change the Constitution's wording. As a compromise, Madison's changes were presented as a list of amendments that would follow Article VII.
The Bill of Rights was strongly influenced by the Virginia Declaration of Rights, written by George Mason, as well as English documents such as the Magna Carta, the Petition of Right, the English Bill of Rights, and the Massachusetts Body of Liberties. The first ten amendments to the Constitution were designed to limit government power and protect individual liberties.
The First Amendment protects freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and the right to petition the government. It also prohibits the government from establishing a religion or interfering with the free exercise thereof. The Second Amendment guarantees the right of the people to keep and bear arms, and the Third Amendment prohibits the quartering of soldiers in private homes without consent.
The Fourth Amendment safeguards citizens' right to privacy and protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, requiring warrants to be issued only upon probable cause. The Fifth Amendment provides several protections for people accused of crimes, including the right against self-incrimination, protection from double jeopardy, and the right to just compensation for property taken. The Sixth Amendment provides additional protections for the accused, including the right to a speedy and public trial, an impartial jury, and the right to confront witnesses.
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Frequently asked questions
The beginning of the US Constitution is called the Preamble.
The Preamble starts with the words, "We the People".
The Preamble introduces the Constitution as a document that establishes a more perfect union, ensures justice, promotes welfare, and secures liberty for the people of the United States.
The US Constitution was drafted between May 25 and September 17, 1787, at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.
The Constitution superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789.
