Malcolm Rivera
The U.S. Constitution is composed of the Preamble, seven articles and 27 amendments. The Preamble, which begins with the words 'We the People', is an introduction to the highest law of the land. It communicates the intentions of the framers and the purpose of the document, but is not the law itself.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Introduction | The first 52 words of the Constitution introduce the articles and amendments that follow |
| Highest law of the land | The preamble sets the stage for the Constitution and communicates the intentions of the framers and purpose of the document |
| Signed | On September 17, 1787 |
| Ratified | On June 21, 1788 |
| Amendments | 27 amendments, beginning with the Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments, ratified December 15, 1791 |
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What You'll Learn
The Preamble
Beginning with the words "We the People", the Preamble introduces the seven articles and 27 amendments that make up the Constitution. The first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791. The Preamble is an important reminder of the rule of law and the commitment to applying laws fairly to everyone.
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The seven articles
Article I – The Legislative Branch
The principal mission of the legislative branch is to make laws. It is split into two different chambers – the House of Representatives and the Senate. Congress is a legislative body that holds the power to draft and pass legislation, borrow money for the nation, declare war, and raise a military.
Article II – The Executive Branch
The executive branch of government is responsible for executing the laws of the nation.
Article III – The Judicial Branch
The Supreme Court is established as the highest judicial power in the United States.
Article IV – The States
This article defines the relationship between the states.
Article V – Amendment
Future generations can amend the Constitution if the society so requires it. Both the states and Congress have the power to initiate the amendment process.
Article VI – Debts, Supremacy, Oaths
Article VI determines that the U.S. Constitution, and all laws made from it, are the "supreme Law of the Land," and all officials, whether members of the state legislatures, Congress, judiciary, or the executive branch, have to swear an oath to the Constitution.
Article VII – Ratification
This article details all those people who signed the Constitution, representing the original 13 states.
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The 27 amendments
The first paragraph of the US Constitution is the preamble, which is an introduction to the highest law of the land. It is not the law, but it communicates the intentions of the framers and the purpose of the document. It begins with the words "We the People".
The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights and were ratified on December 15, 1791. The remaining 17 amendments were added over time, with the most recent being the Twenty-seventh Amendment, also known as the Congressional Compensation Act of 1789. This amendment states that any law that increases or decreases the salary of members of Congress may only take effect after the next election of the House of Representatives. The Twenty-seventh Amendment was one of the first proposed amendments but was not ratified by enough states until much later, along with the proposed Congressional Apportionment Amendment, which has still not been ratified by enough states.
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The Bill of Rights
The first paragraph of the US Constitution is the Preamble, which is an introduction to the document and the law. It is not the law itself. The Preamble sets the stage for the Constitution, communicating the intentions of the framers and the purpose of the document.
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The intentions of the framers
The Preamble begins with the words "We the People", emphasising the democratic nature of the Constitution and the fact that it is established by and for the people of the United States. It sets out the principles and values that underpin the Constitution, including the rule of law, the separation of powers, and the protection of citizens' rights.
The framers of the Constitution intended to create a system of government that was fair, just, and responsive to the needs of the people. They sought to establish a nation based on certain fundamental principles, such as liberty, equality, and justice. The Preamble reflects these intentions and provides a foundation for the rights and freedoms that are outlined in the subsequent articles and amendments of the Constitution.
The framers also recognised the importance of flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. This is reflected in the fact that the Constitution has been amended multiple times since its ratification in 1788. The first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791 and form an integral part of the Constitution.
Overall, the intentions of the framers, as communicated in the Preamble, were to establish a nation founded on certain core values and principles, with a system of government that protects the rights of its citizens and adapts to the evolving needs of the people.
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Frequently asked questions
The first paragraph of the US Constitution is called the Preamble.
The Preamble is an introduction to the Constitution, which is the highest law of the land. It communicates the intentions of the framers and the purpose of the document.
The Preamble begins with the words 'We the People'.
The Preamble is 52 words long.
The Preamble is followed by seven articles and 27 amendments.
