Omar Bennett
The United States Constitution is a legal document that outlines the country's system of government and the rights of its citizens. It was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788, superseding the nation's first constitution, the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution consists of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments, including the famous first 52 words, which introduce the structural constitution. The document establishes a federal government with three branches: the legislative, consisting of a bicameral Congress; the executive, consisting of the President and their officers; and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts. It also outlines the rights and responsibilities of state governments and the process of constitutional amendment. The Constitution's primary purpose is to limit the power of the government and secure the liberty of citizens, creating a system of checks and balances.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty. |
| Legislative Branch | Consists of a Senate and House of Representatives. |
| House of Representatives | Members chosen every second year by the people of the several states. |
| Elections | Each House is the judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its members. |
| Proceedings | Each House determines the rules of its proceedings and may punish its members for disorderly behaviour. |
| Journals | Each House keeps a journal of its proceedings, which is published except for parts requiring secrecy. |
| Adjournment | Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall adjourn for more than three days without the consent of the other. |
| Powers | Congress has the power to dispose of and make rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States. |
| Republican Form of Government | The United States guarantees to every state in the Union a republican form of government and protects each against invasion and domestic violence. |
| Amendments | Congress proposes amendments to the Constitution, which become valid when ratified by three-fourths of the states. |
| Federalism | Describes the rights and responsibilities of state governments in relation to the federal government. |
| Separation of Powers | The federal government is divided into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. |
| Judicial Branch | Consists of the Supreme Court and other federal courts, which have the power to declare acts of Congress as unconstitutional. |
| Citizenship | The Fourteenth Amendment granted citizenship to former slaves and all persons "subject to U.S. jurisdiction". |
| Limitations on State Power | The Fourteenth Amendment also imposed three new limits on state power, including not depriving any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. |
| Voting Rights | The Fifteenth Amendment prohibits the use of race, colour, or previous condition of servitude in determining voting rights. |
| Checks and Balances | The system seeks to limit the power of the government and secure the liberty of citizens. |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution's history and amendments
The US Constitution established America's national government and fundamental laws, guaranteeing certain basic rights for its citizens. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789. The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.
The Articles of Confederation, ratified in 1781, created a loose confederation of states, each operating like independent countries. The national government was comprised of a single legislature, the Congress of the Confederation, with no president or judicial branch. The US Constitution, on the other hand, established a stronger federal government with three branches—executive, legislative, and judicial—along with a system of checks and balances to ensure no single branch held too much power.
The Constitution has been amended 27 times since its ratification. The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791, and guarantee individual freedoms such as freedom of speech and religion and the right to bear arms. Other notable amendments include the Fourteenth Amendment (1868), which granted citizenship to former slaves and placed new limits on state power, and the Fifteenth Amendment (1870), which prohibits the use of race or colour as a condition of voting.
The process of amending the Constitution involves proposing an amendment and sending it to the Office of the Federal Register, which then submits it to the states for ratification. An amendment becomes operative as soon as it is ratified by three-fourths of the states (38 out of 50). The most recent amendment, the Twenty-first Amendment, was the only one to use the convention method of ratification.
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The separation of powers
The US Constitution is a legal document that outlines the country's system of government and the rights and responsibilities of its citizens. It was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788, superseding the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution.
One of the key principles enshrined in the Constitution is the separation of powers, which divides the federal government into three distinct branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. This principle is embodied in the first three articles of the Constitution.
The legislative branch, consisting of the bicameral Congress (the Senate and the House of Representatives), is responsible for making laws. The House of Representatives is composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the states, with each state having qualifications for electors. Congress has the power to dispose of and make rules and regulations for US territories and property, and it can also propose amendments to the Constitution.
The executive branch, consisting of the President, Vice President, and numerous executive departments, is responsible for enforcing the laws. The President is the head of state, leader of the federal government, and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. The executive branch also includes departments such as Treasury and State.
The judicial branch, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts, is responsible for interpreting the laws and ruling on the constitutionality of legislative and executive actions. The Supreme Court has the power to declare acts of Congress as unconstitutional, but it generally exercises self-restraint in judicial review. Federal judges have described the interplay between the three branches as creating "healthy tensions" that have a stabilizing effect on democracy.
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The Supreme Court's role
The US Constitution is a document that outlines the framework of the federal government and the rights and responsibilities of its citizens. It was written to form a "more perfect union", establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty for the people of the United States. The Constitution is made up of seven articles, which embody the doctrine of the separation of powers and delineate the responsibilities of the three branches of government: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial.
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States and is a part of the judicial branch of the government. It is made up of nine judges, also known as justices, who are chosen by the President and confirmed by the Senate. These justices hold their positions for life. The Supreme Court plays a crucial role in safeguarding American democracy and protecting the rights and liberties of citizens. It acts as the protector and interpreter of the Constitution and is responsible for ensuring that the laws of the land align with the principles outlined in the Constitution.
One of the most important powers of the Supreme Court is judicial review, which allows it to examine and interpret laws and executive acts to ensure they are consistent with the Constitution. The Court can declare acts of Congress unconstitutional if they violate the constitutional rights of citizens. This power enables the Court to safeguard civil rights, protect against discrimination, and uphold the principles of equal justice under the law.
The Supreme Court also hears cases that involve disputes between states, interpret legislation, and preside over cases related to treaties. It provides guidance and rulings on a range of issues, from gun control and equal protection for marginalised communities to the balance of power between the federal government and the states. The Court's decisions have a significant impact on society and shape the interpretation and application of the law.
While the Supreme Court wields considerable power, it also practices self-restraint in judicial review. It seeks to minimise situations where it asserts itself as superior to the President or Congress and avoids making constitutional decisions unless required by a case decision. This balance ensures that the Court respects the separation of powers while also holding the federal government accountable to the standards set out in the Constitution.
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The system of checks and balances
The US Constitution is a document that outlines the framework of the federal government and the rights and responsibilities of US citizens. It was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788, superseding the Articles of Confederation, which was the nation's first constitution. The Constitution has been amended 27 times, with the first ten amendments comprising the Bill of Rights.
One of the key features of the US Constitution is the system of checks and balances, which divides the government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. This system ensures that no single branch has too much power and establishes a separation of powers. Here is how the system of checks and balances works in the US government:
The legislative branch, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives, has the power to make laws, declare war, regulate commerce, and control spending and tax policies. It can check the executive branch by impeaching the president or members of their administration, passing treaties, and determining the budget for executive offices. The legislative branch can also check the judicial branch by voting to impeach federal judges and determining the jurisdiction of federal courts.
The executive branch, led by the president, is responsible for enforcing laws and administering federal agencies. It can check the legislative branch by vetoing laws passed by Congress. The executive branch also has checking power over the judicial branch through the power of appointment of Supreme Court judges.
The judicial branch, including the Supreme Court and other federal courts, has the power to interpret laws and declare laws unconstitutional. It can check the legislative branch by overturning laws deemed unconstitutional. The judicial branch can also check the executive branch by limiting the president's power through judicial review.
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The Bill of Rights
The US Constitution is a document that outlines the framework of the federal government and its powers. It is comprised of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments, beginning with the Bill of Rights.
The first amendment of the Bill of Rights guarantees freedom of religion, speech, and the press, as well as the right to assemble and petition the government. The second amendment grants the right to keep and bear arms, and the third amendment prohibits the quartering of soldiers in civilian homes without the owner's consent. The fourth amendment protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures, requiring a warrant based on probable cause. The fifth amendment guarantees due process of law and prohibits self-incrimination and double jeopardy. The sixth amendment grants the right to a speedy trial and assistance of counsel, while the seventh amendment ensures the right to a trial by jury. The eighth amendment prohibits excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment, and the ninth amendment states that the enumeration of certain rights in the Constitution does not deny or disparage other rights retained by the people. Finally, the tenth amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution is a legal document that outlines the country's system of government and the rights of its citizens. It was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788.
The US Constitution establishes a federal government with three branches: the legislative, consisting of the bicameral Congress; the executive, consisting of the President and their subordinate officers; and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts. It also outlines the powers and responsibilities of each branch, including the ability to propose and ratify amendments.
The US Constitution has been amended 27 times since its ratification. The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791. Other notable amendments include the Fourteenth Amendment (1868), which granted citizenship to former slaves and imposed new limits on state power, and the Twenty-first Amendment, which repealed the prohibition of alcoholic beverages.
