Isabella Carter
The Constitution of the United States is the foundation of the Federal Government. It is often referred to as the supreme law of the land, and no law may contradict its principles. The Constitution is divided into three sections: the Preamble, the seven Articles, and the Amendments. The first part of the Constitution is called the Preamble, which outlines the document's purpose and the role of the Federal Government.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The first part of the US Constitution is called the Preamble
The US Constitution was written during the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by 55 delegates to a Constitutional Convention. The Constitution was the product of political compromise after long and often rancorous debates over issues such as states' rights, representation, and slavery. The Founding Fathers established three main principles on which the government is based: inherent rights, or rights that anyone living in America has; establish justice; and insure domestic tranquility.
The Constitution outlines the US judicial system. In the Judiciary Act of 1789, Congress began to fill in the details. Title 28 of the US Code currently describes judicial powers and administration. The Constitution has been amended 27 times since it became operational in 1789. The first ten amendments, known collectively as the Bill of Rights, offer specific protections of individual liberty and justice.
The US Constitution was greatly influenced by the study of the Magna Carta and other federations, both ancient and extant. It established a federal democratic republic. It is the system of the Federal Government; it is democratic because the people govern themselves; and it is a republic because the government's power is derived from the people.
The Preamble: An Intro or Part of Constitution?
You may want to see also
The Preamble describes the purpose of the document
The first part of the U.S. Constitution is called the Preamble. It is considered the introductory statement of the Constitution and describes the purpose of the document and the Federal Government. The Preamble outlines the goals and principles that the Founding Fathers wanted to achieve through the creation of the Constitution. It establishes the purpose of the Federal Government as being to "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."
The Preamble is followed by seven Articles, which detail the structure and functioning of the Government, as well as the process for amending the Constitution. The third and final part of the Constitution comprises the Amendments, which are changes made to the document. The first ten Amendments are collectively known as the Bill of Rights, which outline specific protections of individual liberty and justice.
The Constitution was written during the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by 55 delegates to a Constitutional Convention. The delegates represented different states and engaged in lengthy and often contentious debates over issues such as states' rights, representation, and slavery. The Constitution was a compromise between the interests of large and small states, and it aimed to address the shortcomings of the previous system, the Articles of Confederation, which had provided little guidance to the states.
The Constitution has been amended 27 times since it became operational in 1789. The process of amending the Constitution is outlined in Article Five, which requires a proposal to be adopted by two-thirds of both houses of Congress or by a national convention requested by two-thirds of the state legislatures. Once a proposal is passed, Congress decides on the method of ratification, which can be through state legislatures or state ratifying conventions. An amendment becomes operative once it is ratified by three-fourths of the states.
The Electoral College: Understanding the US Constitution's Role
You may want to see also
The Founding Fathers established three main principles
The first part of the US Constitution is known as the Preamble. It describes the purpose of the document and the Federal Government. The Founding Fathers established three main principles on which the US Government is based. These are:
Inherent Rights
Also referred to as rights that anyone living in America has. An example of this is the right to liberty and justice.
Limited Government
The US Constitution established a Federal democratic republic. It is democratic because the people govern themselves, and it is a republic because the Government's power is derived from the people.
Separation of Powers
The Constitution outlines the US judicial system, with the judicial power of the United States vested in federal courts. The Constitution also outlines the legislative and executive branches of government.
Who's Not in the President's Cabinet?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Constitution is a living document
The first part of the US Constitution is called the Preamble. It describes the purpose of the document and the Federal Government. The Constitution is often referred to as a "living" document because it can be amended to reflect changes in government and adapt to new circumstances. This adaptability is essential, as the world has changed in numerous ways since the Constitution was first adopted over 200 years ago. The nation's territory has expanded, its population has multiplied, and technology, the international situation, and social norms have all evolved.
The Constitution has been amended 27 times since it became operational in 1789. The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, protect individual liberty and justice. The amendments also address the right to vote, ensuring that all Americans, regardless of race or gender, have a voice in electing their representatives. The most significant amendments were added in the wake of the Civil War, addressing issues such as slavery and states' rights.
The process of amending the Constitution is deliberately challenging. A proposal for an amendment must be adopted by two-thirds of both houses of Congress or by a national convention requested by two-thirds of state legislatures. Once proposed, an amendment becomes operative when ratified by three-fourths of the states. While this process ensures that change does not come easily, it also allows for the necessary evolution of the Constitution to meet the needs of a changing society.
The concept of a living Constitution is opposed by originalists, who argue that the document should be interpreted as it was understood by its authors. They believe that the Constitution's meaning and requirements should remain fixed, only changing through formal amendments. However, critics of originalism highlight the challenges of applying centuries-old principles to modern governance. They advocate for a flexible Constitution that can adapt to new circumstances and reflect the accumulated wisdom of previous generations.
In conclusion, the US Constitution is a living document that has evolved through amendments to meet the changing needs of a growing and diverse nation. While the amendment process is deliberately challenging, it allows for the necessary evolution of the Constitution, ensuring that it remains a relevant and adaptable foundation for American governance.
The Cabinet's Role: Executive Branch Explained
You may want to see also
The Constitution was ratified by nine states
The United States Constitution was drafted in 1787, with the aim of replacing the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution was drafted by delegates from 13 states, and it was agreed that the document would not be binding until it was ratified by nine states.
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787. This was followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. Several states opposed the Constitution, arguing that it did not adequately protect individual rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. Despite these concerns, the Constitution was eventually ratified by nine states, with New Hampshire becoming the ninth and final state needed for ratification on June 21, 1788.
The ratification of the Constitution by nine states was a significant milestone, as it officially ended government under the Articles of Confederation and established the new Constitution as the supreme law of the land. The Constitution outlined a new form of government with a stronger, more centralized structure, and it included provisions for individual rights and liberties, such as the right to freedom of speech, religion, and the press, which were later added as amendments.
The ratification process, however, was not without its challenges. Some states, such as Rhode Island, initially rejected the Constitution, and it was not until May 29, 1790, that Rhode Island finally approved the document, marking the unanimous ratification of the Constitution by all 13 states. Additionally, the issue of slavery was a contentious topic during the ratification process, with the final document including compromises that protected slavery and gave disproportional representation to less populous states.
Understanding the Executive Branch: What's Excluded?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The first part of the US Constitution is called the Preamble.
The Preamble describes the purpose of the document and the Federal Government.
The purpose of the Federal Government is to "establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity."
