Eleanor Finch
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is composed of an introductory paragraph, or preamble, seven articles that define the framework of the federal government, and 27 amendments. The fourth and final section of the Constitution is an untitled closing endorsement with the signatures of 39 framers. Article V outlines the process for amending the Constitution, and there have been 27 amendments to date.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The Constitution's seven articles
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 It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789.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 includes four sections: an introductory paragraph titled the Preamble, a list of seven Articles that define the government's framework, an untitled closing endorsement with the signatures of 39 framers, and 27 amendments that have been adopted under Article V. The Preamble, the Constitution's introductory paragraph, lays out the purposes of the new government. The seven articles make up the structural constitution, signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788. The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights.
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). Article IV, Article V, and Article VI embody concepts of federalism, describing the rights and responsibilities of state governments, the states in relation to the federal government, and the shared process. Article IV requires the United States to guarantee each state a republican form of government and to protect them from invasion and violence. Article V outlines the process for amending the Constitution.
The seven articles of the Constitution define the basic framework of the federal government. Articles that have been amended still include the original text, although provisions repealed by amendments under Article V are usually bracketed or italicized to indicate they no longer apply. The Congress, whenever two-thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two-thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid for all intents and purposes as part of this Constitution when ratified by the Legislatures of three-fourths of the several States.
What Width Defines an Isthmus?
You may want to see also
The legislative branch
Article I of the US Constitution defines the framework of the legislative branch, consisting of a bicameral Congress. The legislative branch is the first of three branches of the federal government outlined in the Constitution, followed by the executive and judicial branches.
The Congress has the power to propose amendments to the Constitution. Whenever two-thirds of both houses deem it necessary, they can propose amendments, or on the application of two-thirds of the state legislatures, Congress shall call a convention for proposing amendments. In either case, amendments become valid when ratified by three-quarters of the state legislatures or conventions.
The Territorial Clause grants Congress the authority to govern non-state territories and make rules for disposing of federal property. Additionally, Congress is responsible for guaranteeing each state a republican form of government and protecting them from invasion and violence.
Official Language of India: The 1962 Constitution
You may want to see also
The executive branch
The US Constitution establishes the country's federal government and delineates it into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. The executive branch, outlined in Article II of the Constitution, consists of the President and their subordinate officers.
The President of the United States is the head of the executive branch and is responsible for executing and enforcing the laws of the nation. The President is also the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and is responsible for conducting foreign relations. The President has the power to appoint federal judges, ambassadors, and other officers with the advice and consent of the Senate.
The subordinate officers of the executive branch include the Vice President, the Cabinet, and various federal departments and agencies. The Vice President is second-in-command to the President and assumes the role of President should the President be removed, resign, or die. The Cabinet is composed of the heads of the executive departments and is responsible for advising the President on various matters. The number of departments and their specific roles have evolved over time to meet the changing needs of the nation.
The Constitution outlines the process for electing the President and Vice President, which has been further elaborated through amendments and laws. The Twelfth Amendment, for example, established the current system of separate electoral votes for President and Vice President. The executive branch's powers and responsibilities have also been shaped by various other amendments, such as the Twenty-Fifth Amendment, which deals with presidential succession and disability.
Electoral College: What Does the Constitution Say?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The judicial branch
The US Constitution establishes the federal government, which is divided into three branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. The judicial branch, outlined in Article III, consists of the Supreme Court and other federal courts.
The Supreme Court is the highest judicial body in the United States, and it has ultimate interpretive authority over federal constitutional law. The Court's rulings on legal matters and constitutional questions are binding, and they have a profound impact on federal and state law. The Supreme Court is led by the Chief Justice of the United States, who is joined by eight Associate Justices. These Justices are nominated by the President and then confirmed by the Senate. While the Constitution does not specify the qualifications for Justices, it grants Congress the power to determine the number of Justices and regulate the Court's jurisdiction.
The federal courts under the judicial branch include the 94 federal district courts, the 13 federal appellate courts, and other specialized courts. These courts hear cases involving federal laws, the US Constitution, and disputes between states or between the US and foreign entities. Federal courts also have exclusive jurisdiction over bankruptcy, copyright, patent, and criminal cases.
The Constitution also establishes extradition between the states and lays the legal basis for freedom of movement and travel among them. Additionally, the Territorial Clause gives Congress the power to govern non-state territories and dispose of federal property.
Lincoln's Constitutional Challenge: The Emancipation Proclamation
You may want to see also
Amending the Constitution
Article V of the U.S. Constitution outlines the process for amending the Constitution. The Constitution is the supreme law of the United States of America and includes an introductory paragraph titled the Preamble, seven articles that define the government's framework, and 27 amendments that have been adopted.
The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights. These amendments were added to the Constitution to protect the basic rights of U.S. citizens, such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right to keep and bear arms, and the right to due process of law. The Bill of Rights was ratified on December 15, 1791.
The process of amending the Constitution is outlined in Article V, which states that the Congress, whenever two-thirds of both Houses deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to the Constitution. Alternatively, on the application of the legislatures of two-thirds of the several states, Congress shall call a convention for proposing amendments. In either case, the amendments become valid when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states or by conventions in three-fourths thereof, as proposed by Congress.
It's worth noting that eight state constitutions in effect in 1787 included an amendment mechanism. Amendment-making power rested with the legislature in three of these states, while in the other five, it was given to specially elected conventions. The process of amending the Constitution is a complex and rigorous procedure, designed to ensure that any changes made are carefully considered and widely supported.
The Constitution's Monetary Solution: Fixing Currency Issues
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The final section of the US Constitution is Article VII, which deals with the document's ratification.
The US Constitution is made up of seven Articles in total. The first three Articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into a legislative branch (Article I), an executive branch (Article II), and a judicial branch (Article III). Article IV, Article V, and Article VI embody concepts of federalism, outlining the rights and responsibilities of state governments, the relationship between the states and the federal government, and the process for amending the Constitution.
The Preamble is the Constitution's introductory paragraph, which begins with the famous words, "We the People". It lays out the purposes of the new government, including establishing justice, ensuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common defence, and promoting the general welfare.
The first 10 amendments to the Constitution are known as the Bill of Rights.
