Jonah Patel
The United States Constitution is composed of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The last word of the US Constitution is Virginia, which appears in the signature of the document's inscriber, Jacob Shallus. The signature reads, G°. Washington Presidt and deputy from Virginia. The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| The last word in the US Constitution | America |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution's last word is 'America'
The US Constitution's last word is indeed "America." This is fitting, as the Constitution is the supreme law of the United States of America, superseding the nation's first constitution, the Articles of Confederation, on March 4, 1789. The Constitution establishes the framework for the federal government, outlining the separation of powers into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial.
The Constitution begins with the well-known preamble, "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." This preamble sets the tone and intentions of the document, communicating the aspirations of "We the People" for their government and nation.
The last word, "America," is a powerful reminder of the Constitution's purpose: to establish a nation based on certain fundamental principles and rights. The Constitution's final word underscores its role in shaping the course of American history and the lives of its citizens. It is a testament to the country's commitment to democracy, freedom, and the rule of law.
The Constitution's conclusion with the word "America" emphasizes the unity and collective identity of the nation. It signifies the culmination of the founding fathers' efforts to create a more perfect union and secure the blessings of liberty for all Americans. This final word serves as a reminder of the country's proud history and the values it upholds.
While the word "America" concludes the main body of the Constitution, it is important to note that the document also includes signatures and additional information. Following the main text, there is a section that details the ratification process, with references to the "United States of America" and specific dates in the context of American independence. These concluding elements further emphasize the significance of the nation's founding and the role of the Constitution in shaping its future.
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The document was signed on 17 September 1787
The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the United States of America. It was signed on 17 September 1787 and ratified on 21 June 1788. The document superseded the Articles of Confederation, which was the nation's first constitution, on 4 March 1789. The Constitution was inscribed by Jacob Shallus on parchment and is on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum. The spelling and punctuation of the document reflect the original.
The Constitution is composed of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights. The preamble sets the stage for the Constitution and communicates the intentions of the framers and the purpose of the document. It is an introduction to the highest law of the land, but it is not the law itself. The first of the five objectives outlined in the preamble is to "establish justice".
The Constitution outlines 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 legislative branch is further divided into the Senate and the House of Representatives, with the latter being composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states.
The document also contains three new limits on state power: a state shall not violate a citizen's privileges or immunities; shall not deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law; and must guarantee all persons equal protection of the laws. These limitations expanded the protections of the Constitution and made provisions of the Bill of Rights applicable to state and local governments.
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It superseded the Articles of Confederation
The last word in the US Constitution is "Massachusetts", which refers to the state that was the site of many key events in American history, including the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitutional Convention. Now, onto the topic of how it superseded the Articles of Confederation.
The United States Constitution superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, which was adopted by the Second Continental Congress in 1777 and ratified by the original 13 states in 1781. The Articles established a loose confederation of states with a weak central government, which had limited powers and faced challenges in effectively governing the young nation.
The Articles of Confederation provided for a unicameral legislature, the Confederation Congress, where each state had one vote, regardless of its population. This structure gave smaller states the same influence as larger ones, often leading to deadlock and an inability to make decisions efficiently. The central government lacked the power to levy taxes, regulate commerce, or enforce laws, relying instead on voluntary contributions and support from the states.
The weaknesses of the Articles became increasingly apparent as the young nation faced economic crises and social unrest. Incidents such as Shays' Rebellion, an armed uprising in Massachusetts in 1786, highlighted the government's inability to maintain order and protect citizens' rights. It became evident that a stronger central government was necessary to address these issues and promote stability and prosperity.
In response to these challenges, delegates from 12 states convened in Philadelphia in 1787 for the Constitutional Convention, also known as the Philadelphia Convention. The original intent was to revise the Articles of Confederation and make them more effective. However, the convention ultimately resulted in the drafting of an entirely new constitution, which established a federal system of government with a stronger central authority and a clear division of powers.
The US Constitution, ratified in 1788, created a federal republic with a system of checks and balances to prevent any single branch of government from becoming too powerful. It established a bicameral legislature, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, providing proportional representation for larger states while also ensuring that smaller states had a voice in the Senate. The Constitution granted the federal government specific powers, including the ability to levy taxes, regulate commerce, coin money, and raise an army—addressing the key weaknesses inherent in the Articles of Confederation.
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The Constitution has 7 articles and 27 amendments
The United States Constitution 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 is composed of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The 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 legislative branch, consisting of the bicameral Congress (Article I), is responsible for creating and passing laws. The executive branch, led by the President and their subordinate officers (Article II), is responsible for executing and enforcing the laws. The judicial branch, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts (Article III), interprets the laws and ensures their constitutionality.
Articles IV, V, and VI embody the concepts of federalism, outlining the rights and responsibilities of state governments and their relationship with the federal government. The seventh article, Article VII, establishes the process for ratifying the Constitution and outlines the steps for making amendments.
The Constitution has been amended 27 times since its ratification. The first 10 amendments, collectively known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791. These amendments protect various civil liberties and guard against governmental abuses. For example, the Ninth Amendment prevents the denial of certain rights not specifically enumerated in the Constitution, while the Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.
The process of amending the Constitution is outlined in Article V. Amendments can be proposed by a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress or by a national convention called by Congress at the request of two-thirds of the state legislatures. Ratification requires approval by three-fourths of the state legislatures or by ratifying conventions in three-fourths of the states.
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The first 10 amendments are the Bill of Rights
The US Constitution 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 is composed of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The first 10 amendments, ratified on December 15, 1791, are known as the Bill of Rights. These amendments were designed to limit the powers of the federal government and protect the rights of citizens.
The Bill of Rights includes important protections such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right to keep and bear arms, and the right to peaceably assemble. These rights are guaranteed to all citizens of the United States and have been interpreted and applied in various ways over the years. The Bill of Rights also sets out 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 legislative branch, as outlined in Article I, is responsible for creating laws and is composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The House of Representatives is made up of members chosen every second year by the people of the various states. The legislative branch also has the power to propose and pass amendments to the Constitution, which can then be ratified by the states.
The executive branch, as described in Article II, is responsible for carrying out the laws created by the legislative branch. This branch is headed by the President, who is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and has the power to appoint officers with the advice and consent of the Senate. The executive branch also includes the Vice President and other subordinate officers.
The judicial branch, established in Article III, is responsible for interpreting the laws and determining their constitutionality. This branch is made up of the Supreme Court and other federal courts. The Supreme Court has the power of judicial review, which means it can explain the meaning of the Constitution and apply it to specific cases. The judicial branch also includes lower federal courts that hear cases and interpret the law.
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Frequently asked questions
The last word in the US Constitution is "America".
The full context of the last word is "...do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
The last word, "America," signifies the country for which the Constitution was established, emphasizing the unity and sovereignty of the United States of America.
No, there is no specific debate or controversy surrounding the interpretation of the last word "America." However, there are often controversial Supreme Court decisions regarding the interpretation of the Constitution as a whole.
While the last word itself is unlikely to change, the US Constitution can be amended. However, amending the Constitution is a complex process, and the last amendment was made in 1992.
