Omar Bennett
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 It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789.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 outlines the US judicial system and the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into three branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. The first three articles of the Constitution embody this doctrine, with the legislative branch consisting of the bicameral Congress (Article I), the executive branch consisting of the president and subordinate officers (Article II), and the judicial branch consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts (Article III). The remaining articles of the Constitution, Articles IV, V, and VI, embody concepts of federalism, describing the rights and responsibilities of state governments, the states in relation to the federal government, and the process of constitutional amendment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First sentence | "Establish Justice" |
| Number of articles | 7 |
| Number of sections | 10 |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution is a written document
The first article, which embodies the legislative branch, establishes a bicameral Congress consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives. It outlines the qualifications for Representatives, including age and citizenship requirements, and specifies that they must be inhabitants of the states they represent.
The second article, pertaining to the executive branch, establishes the office of the President and subordinate officers. It outlines the powers and responsibilities of the President, including the authority to declare war and make appointments.
The third article, concerning the judicial branch, establishes the Supreme Court and other federal courts. It vests the judicial power in these courts, granting them the authority to interpret and apply the law, as well as the power to punish and sentence.
The remaining articles, four through seven, delve into concepts of federalism and the rights and responsibilities of state governments. They outline the relationship between the states and the federal government, establish procedures for ratifying amendments, and define the process of constitutional amendment.
The US Constitution, as a written document, provides a clear framework for the functioning of the American government and ensures the protection of individual rights and liberties. It serves as the supreme law of the land, guiding the nation's political system and safeguarding the principles upon which the country was founded.
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The US Constitution was created by the people
The legislative branch consists of the bicameral Congress (Article I), the executive branch consists of the president and subordinate officers (Article II), and the judicial branch consists 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 of constitutional amendment.
Article VII establishes the procedure subsequently used by the 13 states to ratify the Constitution.
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The US Constitution is a democracy
Articles IV, V, and VI embody concepts of federalism, describing the rights and responsibilities of state governments, the states in relationship to the federal government, and the shared process of constitutional amendment. For example, under Article Five, 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 has passed, Congress must decide whether the proposed amendment is to be ratified by state legislatures or by state ratifying conventions.
The Constitution also outlines the US judicial system, vesting the judicial power of the United States in federal courts and giving them the authority to interpret and apply the law to a particular case, as well as the power to punish, sentence, and direct future action to resolve conflicts.
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The US Constitution outlines the goals and responsibilities of the government
> 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 Preamble sets out the fundamental purposes that the government aims to achieve. These include the establishment of a fair and accessible legal system, the protection of citizens' rights, and the provision of national security. The Constitution also creates a national government consisting of a legislative, an executive, and a judicial branch, with a system of checks and balances among the three branches. It divides power between the federal government and the states, and it protects various individual liberties of American citizens.
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The US Constitution is the fundamental law of the land
Article IV, Article V, and Article VI embody concepts of federalism, describing the rights and responsibilities of state governments, the states in relationship to the federal government, and the shared process of constitutional amendment. For example, under Article Five, 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.
The Constitution also outlines the U.S. judicial system, including the power to punish, sentence, and direct future action to resolve conflicts. The Judiciary Act of 1789 began to fill in the details of the judicial system, and Title 28 of the U.S. Code currently describes judicial powers and administration.
Article VII establishes the procedure subsequently used by the 13 states to ratify the Constitution.
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