Jonah Patel
The US Constitution is an important document that sets out the basic framework of the federal government and the aspirations of We the People. Beginning with the famous first 52 words, the preamble introduces the intentions of the framers and the purpose of the document. The Constitution is made up of seven articles and 27 amendments, with the first 10 known as the Bill of Rights. But which word is the most commonly used in this significant document?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of words in the famous first paragraph | 52 |
| First three words | We the People |
| Number of articles | 7 |
| Number of amendments | 27 |
| First 10 amendments | Bill of Rights |
| Date of signing of the seven articles | September 17, 1787 |
| Date of ratification of the seven articles | June 21, 1788 |
| Date of ratification of the first 10 amendments | December 15, 1791 |
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What You'll Learn
- 'We the People': The US Constitution's famous opening words
- The Constitution's seven articles
- Amendments: 27 in total, with the first 10 forming the Bill of Rights
- The Preamble: an introduction to the intentions of the framers
- Undemocratic institutions: the US Constitution is hard to amend, allowing undemocratic institutions to persist
'We the People': The US Constitution's famous opening words
The United States Constitution is a legal document that sets out the framework of the federal government and the aspirations of "We the People". The famous opening words, "We the People", represent a novel idea: that the people, not the states, are the source of the government's legitimacy. Penned by Gouverneur Morris of Pennsylvania, who chaired the convention's Committee of Style, the phrase is considered an improvement on the original draft, which listed the 13 states after "We the People". Morris replaced the list of states with "of the United States" and outlined six goals, none of which were mentioned in the original draft.
The full preamble, which sets the stage for the Constitution, reads: "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 52-word paragraph communicates the intentions and purpose of the framers, agreeing on basic principles that form the foundation of the nation.
The US Constitution has been described as the most difficult in the world to amend, allowing significant democratic backsliding in undemocratic institutions. The preamble is followed by seven articles that make up the structural constitution, signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788. There have been 27 amendments to the Constitution, the first 10 of which are known as the Bill of Rights.
The words "We the People" are more than just a phrase; they embody the democratic ideals upon which the nation was founded. They represent the belief that the government derives its power from the people and exists to serve their interests and aspirations. This concept is at the core of American democracy and continues to inspire and guide the nation's journey towards a more perfect union.
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The Constitution's seven articles
The United States Constitution, beginning with the words "We the People", 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 Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union was the first constitution of the United States. The document was drafted by a committee appointed by the Second Continental Congress in mid-June 1777 and was adopted by the full Congress in mid-November of that year. Ratification by the 13 colonies took more than three years and was completed on March 1, 1781. The first article of the Constitution establishes the legislative branch of the federal government, the United States Congress, and defines the powers granted to it by the Constitution. The House of Representatives and the Senate make up Congress. Members of the House of Representatives are chosen every second year by the people of the various states, and each state's Electors must meet the requirements to vote for the most numerous branch of the state legislature. To be a Representative, one must be at least 25 years old, have been a citizen of the United States for at least seven years, and live in the state from which they are chosen.
The second article of the Constitution establishes the executive branch of the federal government, which includes the President of the United States and the Vice President. It outlines the powers granted to the President, including the role of Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, the ability to grant pardons, and the authority to make treaties with the approval of the Senate. The President is also responsible for appointing ambassadors, Supreme Court justices, and other public officials with the Senate's advice and consent.
The third article of the Constitution establishes the judicial branch of the federal government, which includes the Supreme Court and inferior courts established by Congress. It outlines the powers of the judicial branch, including the power to review and decide on cases involving federal law, treaties, and controversies between states. The third article also establishes the crime of treason, defining it as levying war against the United States or adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort.
The fourth article of the Constitution outlines the relationship between the states and the federal government. It guarantees to each state a republican form of government, protects each state against invasion and domestic violence, and ensures a republican form of government. It also establishes the procedures for admitting new states into the Union and regulating the territory or other property belonging to the United States.
The fifth article of the Constitution outlines the process for amending the Constitution. It states that Congress, with the approval of two-thirds of both houses, can propose amendments, which will become valid after being ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states. Alternatively, amendments can be proposed by a convention called for by two-thirds of the state legislatures, and they will become valid after being ratified by three-fourths of the states.
The sixth article of the Constitution establishes the Constitution and laws of the United States as the supreme law of the land, binding on all judges and public officials. It also establishes the requirement for members of Congress, state legislators, and all executive and judicial officers to be bound by an oath to support the Constitution.
The seventh article of the Constitution outlines the process for ratifying the Constitution and establishing it as the framework of governance for the United States. It states that the ratification of the conventions of nine states shall be sufficient for the establishment of the Constitution between the ratifying states.
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Amendments: 27 in total, with the first 10 forming the Bill of Rights
The US Constitution is made up of seven articles and 27 amendments, the first 10 of which are collectively known as the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights was ratified on December 15, 1791, and added to the Constitution to limit government power and protect individual liberties.
The First Amendment prohibits Congress from making laws that establish a religion or restrict the free exercise of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to assemble, and the right to petition the government. It also protects the right to keep and bear arms, as well as the right to due process and trial by jury.
The Second Amendment states that a well-regulated militia is necessary for the security of a free state, and that the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. The Third Amendment prevents the government from forcing homeowners to allow soldiers to use their homes, and the Fourth Amendment bars the government from unreasonable search and seizure of an individual or their private property without a warrant.
The Fifth Amendment provides several protections for people accused of crimes, including the right to a grand jury, protection against double jeopardy, protection against self-incrimination, and the right to just compensation for property. The Sixth Amendment provides additional protections for those accused, including the right to a speedy and public trial and an impartial jury.
The Ninth Amendment states that the listing of specific rights in the Constitution does not mean that people do not have other rights that have not been spelled out. The Tenth Amendment states that the Federal Government only has the powers delegated to it by the Constitution, and that all other powers are reserved for the states or the people.
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The Preamble: an introduction to the intentions of the framers
The Preamble to the United States Constitution, beginning with the words "We the People", is an introductory statement of the Constitution's fundamental purposes and guiding principles. It sets the stage for the Constitution, clearly communicating the intentions of its framers and the purpose of the document. The Preamble does not define government powers or provide limitations on government action; it is not the law itself. Rather, it serves as an introduction to the highest law of the land.
The Preamble outlines six goals, or five objectives (depending on the source), that the Founding Fathers hoped the Constitution would achieve. These include establishing justice, insuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common defence, promoting the general welfare, and securing the blessings of liberty for future generations. The Preamble was written primarily by Gouverneur Morris, a Pennsylvania delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention held in Philadelphia, and placed in the Constitution during the convention's final days by the Committee on Style.
The courts have referred to the Preamble as reliable evidence of the Founding Fathers' intentions, interpreting its meaning and spirit to understand the Constitution as its authors did. For example, in Ellis v. City of Grand Rapids, the court pointed to the Preamble's reference to "promoting the general welfare" as evidence that "the health of the people was in the minds of our forefathers". However, courts will not interpret the Preamble to give the government powers that are not articulated elsewhere in the Constitution, as seen in United States v. Kinnebrew Motor Co.
The Preamble, along with the seven articles and 27 amendments that make up the structural 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.
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Undemocratic institutions: the US Constitution is hard to amend, allowing undemocratic institutions to persist
The US Constitution is notoriously difficult to amend, and this has allowed undemocratic institutions to persist. The Constitution has been amended only 27 times since its ratification in 1789, and the process is so challenging that of the nearly 11,000 amendments proposed, very few have succeeded. This rigidity has been a cause for concern and has led to significant democratic backsliding in the United States.
The Constitution's resistance to change is due to several factors. Firstly, the supermajority approvals required create a formidable barrier. The current political dynamics and the coordination issues between national and state governments, as well as between the two national political parties, further complicate the process. These factors have effectively frozen the Constitution, making it nearly impossible for any proposed amendments to be ratified.
The Constitution's veneration also plays a role in its resistance to change. The document is seen as a source of legitimacy for the government, with its famous opening words, "We the People." This status has made it challenging to modify the Constitution without appearing to undermine the very foundation of the nation.
Additionally, the Constitution's hard-wired nature means that certain constitutional structures can only be changed through formal amendment procedures outlined in Article V. This has made it difficult to adapt the Constitution to the changing needs and values of each generation. Jefferson, for instance, proposed periodically rewriting the Constitution to allow for updates, but this idea has not been adopted.
The difficulty in amending the Constitution has resulted in undemocratic institutions persisting. It has prevented necessary reforms and adaptations to modern times, including outdated architecture on elections, federalism, and rights. This has led to a situation where the United States lags behind other democracies that have been able to reform their institutions.
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Frequently asked questions
While there is no definitive answer to this question, a quick scan through the document shows that the word "the" is used frequently.
Yes, other common words include "and", "of", "to", and "shall".
The frequent use of these words reflects the drafting style and language conventions of the time. They are common words that serve as grammatical connectors and do not carry any specific legal or philosophical significance.
Yes, the most notable phrase is "We the People," which introduces the document. This phrase represents the idea that the people, not the states, are the source of the government's legitimacy.
