Eleanor Finch
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 Preamble sets the stage for the Constitution, introducing the articles and amendments that follow. It is an introduction to the highest law of the land, communicating the intentions of the framers and the purpose of the document. The Preamble begins with the famous words, 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.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Number of articles | 7 |
| Number of amendments | 27 |
| First 10 amendments known as | Bill of Rights |
| Signed on | September 17, 1787 |
| Ratified on | June 21, 1788 |
| First 52 words | Introduce the articles and amendments that follow |
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What You'll Learn
The Preamble
The phrase "We the People" is significant as it signifies that the power to establish the Constitution rests with the people themselves, rather than with the states or any other entity. This fundamental principle of popular sovereignty is a cornerstone of American democracy, vesting power in the citizens of the nation.
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Articles
The US Constitution is composed of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights. The seven articles make up the structural constitution, which was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788.
The first three articles establish the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the US government. Article One establishes the US Congress, which consists of a Senate and a House of Representatives. It outlines the qualifications and responsibilities of members of Congress, as well as the legislative process for passing laws. Article Two establishes the executive branch, headed by the President of the United States. It outlines the powers and responsibilities of the President, including the role of Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, the power to appoint federal judges, and the ability to grant pardons for federal crimes. Article Three establishes the judicial branch, which is comprised of the US Supreme Court and lower federal courts. It outlines the role of the judiciary in interpreting the law and resolving legal disputes.
Article Four of the US Constitution outlines the relationship between the states and the federal government. It establishes the principles of federalism, guaranteeing each state a republican form of government and protecting the rights of state citizens. It also addresses the admission of new states to the Union and the extradition of criminals across state lines.
Article Five details the process for amending the Constitution. It outlines the two methods by which the Constitution can be amended: by proposal of Congress with subsequent ratification by three-fourths of the state legislatures, or by proposal of a national convention with subsequent ratification by three-fourths of the state legislatures. Article Six affirms the status of the Constitution as the supreme law of the land and establishes the principle of federal supremacy over state laws. It also addresses the role of federal and state officials in supporting the Constitution and requires members of Congress to be bound by oath or affirmation to support the Constitution.
Article Seven outlines the process for ratifying the Constitution. It establishes that the Constitution will go into effect once ratified by nine states, with each state's ratification being deemed sufficient for establishing the Constitution between the states.
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Amendments
The US Constitution is composed of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. Amendments 1–10 constitute what is known as the Bill of Rights, which was ratified on December 15, 1791. The preamble sets the stage for the Constitution and communicates the intentions of its framers and the purpose of the document. It is not the law.
The first 52 words of the Constitution, beginning with "We the People," introduce the articles and amendments that follow. The seven articles make up the structural constitution, signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788. The ratification of the conventions of nine states was sufficient for the establishment of the Constitution.
The Constitution acted as a colossal merger, uniting a group of states with different interests, laws, and cultures. It united its citizens as members of a whole, vesting the power of the union in the people. The Constitution's amendments are an essential part of the document, as they allow for changes and additions to be made over time to reflect the evolving needs and values of the nation.
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Ratification
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it. The journey to ratification was long and arduous. The Articles of Confederation, which acted as the country's first national government, were tailored to a newly formed nation of states acting more like independent, sovereign countries. However, it became clear to America's leaders that future stability required a stronger, more centralized government.
Alexander Hamilton led the call for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document, and the Confederation Congress endorsed his initiative. Representatives from all 13 states were invited to convene in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787, to participate in the Convention. The initial purpose of the Convention was for the delegates to amend the Articles of Confederation, but the outcome was the proposal and creation of a completely new form of government.
Three months later, on September 17, 1787, the Convention concluded with the signing of the new US Constitution by 38 out of 41 delegates present. Under Article VII, it was agreed that the document would not be binding until its ratification by nine of the 13 existing states. Hamilton and James Madison led the lobbying efforts for votes in favor of ratifying the Constitution. With assistance from John Jay, they produced and published in newspapers nationwide the 85 essays known as "The Federalist Papers", which explained and defended how the proposed new government would function.
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. Some states voiced opposition to the Constitution on the grounds that it did not provide protection for rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. However, the terms of the Massachusetts Compromise reached in February 1788, stipulated that amendments to that effect—what became the Bill of Rights—would be immediately proposed. The Constitution was subsequently ratified by Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, and, finally, New Hampshire.
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Separation of Powers
The US Constitution establishes three separate but equal branches of government: the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch. This is known as the separation of powers.
The legislative branch makes the law, the executive branch enforces the law, and the judicial branch interprets the law. The Framers structured the government in this way to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful and to create a system of checks and balances. The separation of powers is a fundamental way of balancing the powers of government so that no one part of the government becomes dominant.
The legislative branch 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 executive power is vested in the President, who becomes the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Navy, and Militia of the several states. The President has the power to make treaties and appointments to office "with the Advice and Consent of the Senate," receive ambassadors and public ministers, and ensure that laws are faithfully executed.
The three branches of the US government have certain powers that relate to the other branches. These include express powers, which are expressly given to each branch in the Constitution, and implied powers, which are those necessary to perform the expressed powers. There are also inherent powers, which are not found in the Constitution but can still be exercised by the different branches, and concurrent powers, which are given to both state and federal governments.
The Supreme Court has vacillated over the years between using a formalistic approach to separation-of-powers issues, which maintains distinct branches of government, and a functional approach that stresses core functions and relationships and permits flexibility.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution is the highest law of the land, uniting a group of states with different interests, laws, and cultures under one national government.
The Constitution is composed of the Preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights.
The Preamble is an introductory statement that outlines the intentions and purpose of the Constitution. It begins with the famous words, "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union..."
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788. The first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791.
The original US Constitution, inscribed on parchment by Jacob Shallus, is on permanent display at the National Archives Museum in the Rotunda.
