Simone Lawson
The Constitution of the United States of America is a lengthy and complex document that outlines the country's laws and principles. To make it more accessible to the public, the Library of Congress launched a website called Constitution Annotated in 2019, which provides a simplified explanation of the Constitution in plain English. This website offers a modern and user-friendly approach to understanding the Constitution, with interactive features and advanced search tools. The Constitution Annotated is not just a static document but also reflects current constitutional understandings, allowing CRS attorneys to quickly inform Congress and the public about legal developments. Additionally, the Library of Congress has made its publications, including works related to the Constitution, freely available for worldwide use and reuse, removing copyright restrictions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Format | Website with advanced search tools |
| Purpose | To explain the US Constitution in layman's terms |
| Content | The Constitution's origins, how it was crafted and ratified, and how each provision has been interpreted |
| Target Audience | The general public |
| Source | Library of Congress |
| Authors | Attorneys at the American Law Division of the Library's Congressional Research Service |
| Previous Format | 3,000-page hardbound volume |
| Previous Availability | Provided to Congressional members and available on congress.gov |
| Related Resources | A monthly podcast series called "Our Constitution" |
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What You'll Learn
The Constitution's origins
The US Constitution is a document that outlines the general goals of its framers, including the creation of a just government, the assurance of peace, and the protection of domestic tranquility, among others. The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788.
The Constitution has its origins in the desire to form a more perfect union, with a particular emphasis on the rule of the people rather than a king or dictator. This is evident in the preamble's opening phrase, "We the People". The Constitution also establishes the legislative powers of Congress, which consists of a Senate and a House of Representatives. The number of seats in the House of Representatives is based on population, with larger and more urban states having more representatives. On the other hand, the Senate gives equal power to each state, with two senators representing each state.
The Constitution Annotated, a 3,000-page volume, serves as the official record of the US Constitution. It explains the Constitution's origins, how it was crafted and ratified, and how its provisions have been interpreted. The earliest version of the Constitution Annotated appeared in 19th-century congressional manuals as an indexed Constitution. Over time, these indexes grew and evolved into analyses of judicial interpretations, resulting in the current volume's length.
The Constitution has been the subject of various interpretations and amendments over the years. There have been 27 amendments to the Constitution, with the first 10 amendments, collectively known as the Bill of Rights, being ratified on December 15, 1791. The Supreme Court has also played a significant role in interpreting the Constitution, such as in the recognition of the federal right to vote in congressional elections and the requirement for equal representation in congressional districts.
Additionally, the Library of Congress has launched initiatives like the Constitution Annotated website and the "Our Constitution" podcast series to make the Constitution more accessible to the public and increase civic literacy. These resources provide laypersons with an understanding of the Constitution's history, interpretations, and current applications.
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How it was crafted and ratified
The crafting and ratification of the U.S. Constitution was a long and complex process, which occurred in the years following the American Revolutionary War. America's first constitution, the Articles of Confederation, had been adopted in 1777 and ratified by the 13 colonies in 1781. However, it quickly became apparent that this document was flawed. The Articles gave little power to the central government, and the country's leaders realized that a stronger, more centralized government was needed for future stability. The Articles also lacked enforcement powers, could not regulate commerce, and did not allow the printing of money.
In the mid-1780s, several states and the Continental Congress had only one lawmaking body. This led to disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade, which threatened to tear the young nation apart. James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington were among those who feared the country was on the brink of collapse. In 1787, Hamilton led the call for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document, and representatives from all 13 states were invited to convene in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787.
The convention, which assembled in May 1787, was intended to amend the Articles of Confederation. However, it ultimately resulted in the proposal and creation of a completely new form of government. The delegates agreed to protect the slave trade for 20 years, further entrenching slavery into the nation's fabric. They also adopted the Connecticut Compromise, which proposed a Congress with two legislative bodies: the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The proposal was agreed to by 11 state delegations and the lone delegate from New York, Alexander Hamilton. On September 17, 1787, the new Constitution was signed by 38 out of 41 delegates present. Under Article VII, it was agreed that the document would need to be ratified by nine of the 13 states. The first state to ratify was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. The ratification process was contentious, with two factions emerging: the Federalists, who supported the Constitution, and the Anti-Federalists, who opposed it due to its creation of a powerful central government and lack of a bill of rights.
The tide turned in Massachusetts, where a "vote now, amend later" compromise helped secure victory, and the state ratified the Constitution along with Maryland and South Carolina. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify, making the Constitution the official framework of the U.S. government. The remaining states gradually followed suit, with Rhode Island being the last to approve the document on May 29, 1790. The Constitution Annotated, a 3,000-page volume, provides a comprehensive overview of how the Constitution has been interpreted over time and is now available online with upgraded search capabilities.
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How it has been interpreted
The US Constitution has been interpreted in several ways over time, and its interpretation has been made more accessible to the public through various initiatives. The Constitution Annotated, a 3,000-page volume, provides an in-depth analysis of the Constitution's provisions and how they have been interpreted by the judiciary. It serves as the official record of the US Constitution and is now available online with advanced search capabilities, making it easier for people to study.
The Constitution Annotated traces the origins of the Constitution, explaining how it was crafted, ratified, and interpreted. For instance, it discusses the Supreme Court's latest opinions, including cases like Perttu v. Richards, which addressed the Seventh Amendment's guarantee of a jury trial in civil cases and an inmate's claim of mistreatment. The Annotated also covers the Supreme Court's interpretation of the Establishment Clause and equal protection under the 14th Amendment, ensuring equal voting rights in congressional elections.
Additionally, the Library of Congress launched a website in 2019 called "The Constitution, Annotated: The Constitution Explained in Plain English." This website provides laypeople with access to the original text, explanations of each article and amendment, and how the Constitution has been interpreted over time. It also includes historical context and analysis of current constitutional understandings, allowing users to explore the Constitution's evolution and its relevance today.
Beyond written resources, the Library of Congress also offers a monthly podcast series called "Our Constitution." This podcast is designed to educate and entertain non-lawyers, providing an engaging introduction to the nation's charter and its interpretation. By doing so, it increases civic literacy and helps people understand the history and meaning of the Constitution in a more accessible format.
The interpretation of the Constitution is not limited to legal scholars and courts. Initiatives like the Annenberg Classroom provide an interactive guide to the Constitution, allowing students to explore its meaning and the establishment of the federal government. This guide includes the original text, along with explanations, and highlights areas of agreement and disagreement among legal experts. By offering multiple perspectives, it gives users a deeper understanding of the Constitution's complexities and its ongoing interpretation.
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The meaning of each article and amendment
The US Constitution, signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788, consists of a preamble and seven articles that outline the structure and operation of the government. The first three articles establish the three branches of government and their powers: the Legislative (Congress), Executive (Office of the President), and Judicial (Federal Court System).
Article I
Article I assigns the responsibility for making laws to the Legislative Branch (Congress). Congress consists of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Article II
This article establishes the powers of the Executive Branch, which is headed by the President.
Article III
Article III outlines the role of the Judicial Branch, which includes the Supreme Court and lower federal courts. It establishes the power of judicial review, allowing the courts to interpret the laws and determine their constitutionality.
Article IV
Article IV focuses on the relationship between the states. It grants states the authority to create and enforce their own laws while also requiring them to respect and enforce the laws of other states. It also allows Congress to pass federal laws that govern how states honour each other's laws.
Article V
Article V explains the process for amending the Constitution. Amendments can be proposed by a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress or by a national convention called by Congress in response to applications from two-thirds of the state legislatures. Ratification requires the approval of three-fourths of the state legislatures or state conventions.
Article VI
Article VI establishes the supremacy of federal law over state and local laws. It ensures that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and that the laws and treaties made under it are binding on all states and citizens.
Article VII
The final article outlines the process for ratifying the Constitution and establishes its legitimacy.
Amendments
In addition to the seven articles, the Constitution includes 27 amendments, beginning with the Bill of Rights, which comprises the first ten amendments ratified in 1791. These amendments protect various individual freedoms and rights, such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly, the right to keep and bear arms, and protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.
The remaining 17 amendments address a range of issues, including the abolition of slavery, granting suffrage to women, and establishing the procedures for electing the President and Vice President. Each amendment has contributed to shaping the country's legal and political landscape, ensuring that the Constitution remains a living document that adapts to the evolving needs and values of American society.
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The establishment of federal government
The US Constitution establishes the federal government of the United States of America. The Constitution superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789. It establishes the basic framework of the federal government, outlining the general goals of its framers.
The Constitution's first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. The legislative branch, consisting of the bicameral Congress (Article I), is responsible for making laws. The number of seats in the House of Representatives is based on population, while the Senate gives equal power to each state, with two senators representing each state. The executive branch, consisting of the president and subordinate officers (Article II), is responsible for executing the laws. The president is both the head of state and the head of government, and has powers such as the ability to adjourn Congress and convene both Houses on extraordinary occasions. The judicial branch, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts (Article III), is responsible for interpreting the laws and ensuring they align with the Constitution.
Articles IV, V, and VI of the Constitution embody concepts of federalism, describing the rights and responsibilities of state governments, their relationship to the federal government, and the shared process of constitutional amendment. The Constitution grants Congress numerous powers, including the power to levy and collect taxes, declare war, raise and support armies, and make laws.
The Constitution Annotated, a 3,000-page volume, provides a comprehensive overview of how the Constitution has been interpreted over time and is available online with advanced search tools. Other resources such as the "Our Constitution" podcast also provide accessible introductions to the nation's charter and how it has been interpreted.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution is a set of rules that explain how the United States government works and outlines the rights of its citizens.
The Preamble is the introduction to the Constitution. It begins with "We the People" and outlines the general goals of the document, emphasizing that the nation is ruled by the people.
The Constitution is made up of seven articles and 27 amendments. The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights. The Articles make up the structural constitution, while the Amendments add or change rules.
The Bill of Rights is the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution. They outline important rights and freedoms, such as freedom of speech, religion, and the right to bear arms.
The Constitution Annotated is a resource that explains the Constitution in plain language. It is available online and provides an analysis of the Constitution's origins, how it was crafted and ratified, and how it has been interpreted over time.
