Malcolm Rivera
The Constitution of the United States is the foundation of the federal government and is often called the supreme law of the land. It is composed of three parts: the Preamble, seven Articles, and Amendments. The Preamble describes the purpose of the document and the Federal Government. The seven Articles establish how the Government is structured and how it operates, outlining the three branches of government: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. The Amendments list changes to the Constitution, with the first 10 being called the Bill of Rights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of parts | 3 |
| First part | Preamble |
| Second part | Seven Articles |
| Third part | Amendments |
| First 10 Amendments | Bill of Rights |
| Article I | Legislative Branch (Congress) |
| Article II | Executive Branch (office of the President) |
| Article III | Judicial Branch (Supreme Court) |
| Article IV | States' powers in relation to each other |
| Article V | Amendment process |
| Article VI | Federal law is supreme |
| Article VII | Ratification process |
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What You'll Learn
The Preamble
The Constitution of the United States is the foundation of the Federal Government and is often referred to as the supreme law of the land. It is a "living" document that can be amended and is composed of three parts: the Preamble, the seven Articles, and the Amendments.
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The seven Articles
The United States Constitution, often referred to as the "supreme law of the land", is composed of a preamble, seven articles, and amendments. The seven articles, which make up the structural constitution, outline the framework of the government and how it functions. They were signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788.
Article I establishes the legislative branch of the government, outlining the powers of Congress, including the House of Representatives and the Senate. It details the processes for lawmaking, the powers of each chamber, and the roles and responsibilities of legislators.
Article II focuses on the executive branch, outlining the powers and duties of the President of the United States. It establishes the role of the President as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, the head of the executive branch, and the role in executing the laws of the land. It also addresses the process of electing the President and Vice President and the qualifications for holding these offices.
Article III establishes the judicial branch of the government, outlining the powers and jurisdiction of the federal courts. It establishes the Supreme Court as the highest judicial authority and outlines the process for appointing judges. Additionally, it ensures the independence of the judiciary and safeguards fair trial rights.
Article IV, also known as the "Full Faith and Credit Clause", addresses the relationship between the states and the federal government. It ensures that each state respects the laws and legal acts of the other states and promotes interstate cooperation. It also includes the Admissions Clause, which outlines the process for admitting new states into the Union, and the Privileges and Immunities Clause, which guarantees certain fundamental rights to citizens of all states.
Article V details the process for amending the Constitution. It outlines the two methods by which the Constitution can be amended: by proposal and ratification. It requires a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress to propose an amendment, and it can be ratified either by the state legislatures or by special ratifying conventions, depending on the nature of the amendment.
Article VI establishes the supremacy of the Constitution as the highest law of the land. It asserts that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties made under its authority take precedence over state laws and state constitutions. Additionally, it includes the Supremacy Clause, which ensures that federal officials uphold the Constitution, and the Oath Clause, which outlines the oath of office for members of Congress, the President, and other federal officials.
Article VII outlines the process for ratifying the Constitution. It sets out the requirements for ratification, stating that nine out of the thirteen original states needed to ratify the document for it to become effective. It also includes the date of signing, September 17, 1787, and the location, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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The Amendments
The United States Constitution is often amended to adapt to the changing needs of the nation. The flexibility of the Constitution is a key feature, allowing for a "living" document that can be modified, while still serving as the supreme law of the land.
The first 10 amendments to the Constitution are known as the Bill of Rights. These amendments outline the basic rights of citizens and the fundamental law of the federal system of government. They were ratified on December 15, 1791, and include the right to free speech, freedom of religion, and the right to bear arms.
Amendments 11 through 27 have been added over time, with Amendment 12 and Amendment 25 modifying the rules outlined in Article II, which details the Executive Branch and the offices of the President and Vice President. For example, Amendment 12 outlines the process for electing the President and Vice President, while Amendment 25 deals with instances of presidential succession and disability.
The process of amending the Constitution is outlined in Article V and requires a significant level of consensus. To change the Constitution, two-thirds of the Senate and two-thirds of the House of Representatives must vote in favour of an amendment. Alternatively, two-thirds of the state legislatures can submit an application to Congress, leading to a national convention where states propose amendments. For an amendment to be ratified, three-fourths of the state legislatures or state conventions must vote in favour. This process ensures that any changes to the Constitution reflect the will of the people and are not made lightly.
The Constitution's adaptability has allowed it to endure as the foundation of the US federal government, balancing the need for stability with the ability to adapt to the changing demands of a growing and evolving nation.
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The Bill of Rights
The Constitution of the United States is the foundation of the federal government and is often referred to as the "supreme law of the land". It is a "living" document that can be amended and has been amended 27 times over more than 200 years. The Constitution is divided into three parts: the Preamble, the seven Articles, and the Amendments.
The first ten Amendments, also known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791. The Bill of Rights establishes the basic rights of citizens and the fundamental law of the US federal system of government. It is a landmark document of the Western world and the oldest written national constitution still in use.
The three branches of government established by the Constitution are the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches. The Bill of Rights outlines the basic rights and freedoms that these branches of government must respect and protect. It is a cornerstone of American democracy and a crucial component of the US Constitution, providing a framework for the protection of individual liberties and a system of checks and balances to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
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The three branches of government
The Constitution of the United States is the foundation of the federal government and is often referred to as the "'supreme law of the land'. It is composed of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments, the first 10 of which are known as the Bill of Rights. The Preamble describes the purpose of the document and the Federal Government.
The first three articles of the Constitution establish the three branches of government and their powers: the Legislative Branch, the Executive Branch, and the Judicial Branch.
The Legislative Branch, or Congress, is responsible for making laws. It is divided into two parts, or "Houses": the House of Representatives and the Senate. This bicameral structure was a compromise between large and small states, balancing representation based on population with equal representation for each state.
The Executive Branch is led by the President and Vice President, with rules for their election, eligibility, and term length outlined in Article II. The President is to be elected through the Electoral College and must be a natural-born citizen of at least 35 years of age.
The Judicial Branch is established by Article III and consists of the U.S. Supreme Court as the highest court in the federal court system. Federal judges are appointed for life unless they commit serious crimes.
A system of checks and balances prevents any one of these separate powers from becoming dominant, ensuring a balanced distribution of power among the three branches of government.
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Frequently asked questions
The main body of the US Constitution is composed of the Preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights.
The seven articles describe the way the government is structured and how it operates. The first three articles establish the three branches of government and their powers: Legislative (Congress), Executive (office of the President), and Judicial (Federal court system). Articles four through seven describe the relationship of the states to the Federal Government, establish the Constitution as the supreme law of the land, and define the amendment and ratification processes.
The Preamble describes the purpose of the document and the Federal Government.
