Malcolm Rivera
The Constitution of the United States is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world. It is the fundamental law of the U.S. federal system of government and a landmark document of the Western world. The Constitution was written in 1787 during the Philadelphia Convention, also known as the Constitutional Convention, and was signed on September 17, 1787. The Constitution superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789. The Constitution's first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into three branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. The Constitution was influenced by European Enlightenment thinkers such as Montesquieu and John Locke, and continues to be an inspiration that has changed the trajectory of world history.
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution is the oldest written national constitution in use
The US Constitution is the oldest written national constitution still in use. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789. The US Constitution was signed in 1787 and was authored by the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention. It was inscribed by Jacob Shallus on parchment. The Constitution's first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, in which the federal government is divided into three branches: the legislative, consisting of the 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). The remaining articles embody concepts of federalism, describing the rights and responsibilities of state governments, the states in relation to the federal government, and the shared process of constitutional amendment.
The US Constitution is considered the supreme law of the United States of America. It establishes the framework for the federal government and outlines the rights and responsibilities of the different branches of government. It also provides for the admission of new states into the Union and guarantees a Republican form of government for each state.
The Constitution can be amended through a legislative process of national proposal and state ratification. A proposal for an amendment must be adopted by two-thirds of both houses of Congress or by a national convention requested by two-thirds of the state legislatures. Once the proposal is passed, Congress decides on the method of ratification by state legislatures or state ratifying conventions. An amendment becomes operative as soon as it is ratified by three-fourths of the states (38 out of 50 states).
The US Constitution has been influential in shaping American government and jurisprudence. Courts established by the Constitution, such as the Supreme Court, can interpret and regulate government actions under the Constitution. The Constitution has also incorporated liberties protected by state constitutions and the Virginia Declaration of Rights, reflecting the influence of English law and European Enlightenment thinkers.
While the US Constitution is the oldest written national constitution in use, it is worth noting that the state of Massachusetts enacted its constitution in 1780, preceding the US Constitution by seven years. Additionally, the United Kingdom has an "unwritten" constitution based on common law, practices, and various statutes, including the 13th-century Magna Carta.
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The US Constitution is the supreme law of the US
The US Constitution is the supreme law of the United States. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789. The Constitution was written in the English language, with its spelling and punctuation reflecting the original. The Constitution's first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, in which the federal government is divided into three branches: the legislative, consisting of the 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).
The Constitution is a framework for the US government, and it establishes the rights and responsibilities of the federal government and the states. It also provides important limitations on the government to protect the fundamental rights of US citizens. The Constitution can be amended through a rigorous process, and it has been amended 27 times since its ratification. The process involves a proposal for an amendment, which must be adopted by a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress or by a national convention requested by two-thirds of state legislatures. Once the proposal passes, Congress decides on the method of ratification, which must be ratified by three-fourths of the states to become an operative part of the Constitution.
The Supremacy Clause, introduced as part of the New Jersey Plan, further emphasizes the supremacy of the Constitution and federal law. It asserts that federal statutes and treaties must adhere to the Constitution and cannot violate constitutional limits on federal power, such as the Bill of Rights. The Supremacy Clause is considered a cornerstone of the US federal political structure, ensuring that federal acts take priority over conflicting state acts.
The Constitution also outlines the relationship between the states, requiring them to give "full faith and credit" to each other's laws, records, contracts, and judicial proceedings. It prohibits states from discriminating against citizens of other states and enacting tariffs against one another. Additionally, it establishes the procedure for admitting new states into the Union, ensuring that no new state is formed within the jurisdiction of an existing state without the consent of the legislatures involved and Congress.
The US Constitution, as the supreme law of the land, serves as the foundation for the US government and protects the rights of its citizens, with courts established by the Constitution regulating government actions and ensuring compliance with its principles.
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The US Constitution was written in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The US Constitution, the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world, was written in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Constitution superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789. It is the supreme law of the United States of America.
The Constitution was authored by the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention. It was inscribed by Jacob Shallus on parchment, and the document is on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum. The spelling and punctuation of the original are reflected in the transcription. The Charters of Freedom, which include the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, have secured the rights of the American people for over two and a quarter centuries. They are considered fundamental to the founding and philosophy of the United States.
The Constitution originally included seven articles, which define the basic framework of the federal government. The first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into three branches: the legislative, consisting of the 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). The remaining articles embody concepts of federalism, describing the rights and responsibilities of state governments, the states in relation to the federal government, and the shared process of constitutional amendment.
The Constitution can be amended through a two-step process. First, a proposal for an amendment must be adopted by either a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives or by a national convention requested by two-thirds of the state legislatures. Second, the proposed amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of the states (38 out of 50). The process of amending the Constitution reflects the fundamental nature of this document as the supreme law of the land, which can only be changed through an extraordinary legislative process of national proposal and state ratification.
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The US Constitution was signed in 1787
The Constitution is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world. It is the fundamental law of the US federal system of government and a landmark document of the Western world. The Constitution defines the principal organs of government and their jurisdictions, as well as the basic rights of citizens. The framers of the Constitution were especially concerned with limiting the power of government and securing the liberty of citizens.
The Constitution was written during the Philadelphia Convention, now known as the Constitutional Convention, which was conducted under an oath of secrecy. The document was inscribed by Jacob Shallus on parchment, and the original is on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC. The Constitution's spelling and punctuation reflect the original.
The Constitution originally included seven articles, delineating the frame of the federal government. The first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, in which the federal government is divided into three branches: the legislative, consisting of the 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). The remaining articles embody concepts of federalism, describing the rights and responsibilities of state governments, the states in relation to the federal government, and the shared process of constitutional amendment.
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The US Constitution was inspired by English law
The US Constitution was also influenced by the literature of republicanism in the United States, as demonstrated by the works of John Adams, who often quoted Blackstone and Montesquieu verbatim and applied them to the creation of state constitutions. The structure of the Constitution, as well as the ideas of unalienable rights and the separation of powers, were largely influenced by European Enlightenment thinkers such as Montesquieu, John Locke, and others. The influence of these philosophers was evident during the Constitutional Convention, with Benjamin Franklin stating:
> We have gone back to ancient history for models of Government, and examined different forms of those Republics...
The US Constitution, which superseded the Articles of Confederation in 1789, originally included seven articles and delineates the framework of the federal government. The first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, in which the federal government is divided into three branches: the legislative, consisting of the 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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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution was written in English. It is the oldest written national constitution still in use.
The US Constitution is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the fundamental law of the US federal system of government.
The written Constitution is the fundamental law within the states. It can only be changed by an extraordinary legislative process of national proposal, followed by state ratification.
The US Constitution is a landmark document of the Western world. It was revolutionary when written as it put governance in the hands of the people. It has inspired the spread of democratic ideals around the world.
The Preamble of the US Constitution reads: "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."
