Constitution of United States

Constitution of the US: The current government of the United States started in 1789. The country was originally made up of thirteen colonies that belonged to Great Britain. In 1776, these colonies on the Atlantic Coast rebelled against Britain and became independent in 1783. During that time, the rebellious colonies created the “Articles of Confederation” as their first set of rules in 1777. However, this system didn’t last long because there was no separate leader, and there was no independent court system. The urgent need was for a strong central government.

To address this, a meeting was held in Philadelphia in 1787 to create a new constitution. The delegates signed the constitution on September 17, 1787, and it went into effect in 1789. In this article, we will take a deep look at the Constitution of the United States. We will learn about its history and formation along with some interesting facts about it.

Let’s get started!

Constitution of the US – Overview

Constitution of the United States
Overview
Jurisdiction	United States of America
Created	September 17, 1787
Presented	September 28, 1787
Ratified	June 21, 1788
Date Effective	March 4, 1789 (235 years ago)
System	Federal Presidential Republic
Government Structure
Branches	3
Chambers	Bicameral
Executive	President
Judiciary	Supreme, Circuits, Districts
Federalism	Yes
Electoral College	Yes
Entrenchments	2, 1 still active
History
First Legislature	March 4, 1789
First Executive	April 30, 1789
First Court	February 2, 1790
Amendments	27
Last Amended	May 5, 1992
Citation	July 25, 2007
Location	National Archives Building in Washington, D.C., U.S.
Commissioned  By	Congress of the Confederation in Philadelphia, U.S.
Author(s)	Philadelphia Convention
Signatories	39 of the 55 delegates
Media Type	Parchment
Supersedes	Articles of Confederation

Constitution of the US – Preamble

The Preamble of the United States Constitution is a short introduction that explains the main goals and principles of the Constitution. It gives a general idea, and courts often use it as reliable evidence to understand what the Founding Fathers intended with the Constitution and what they wanted it to accomplish for all the people in the United States.

It states that,

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, 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, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

The words “we the people” in the Constitution imply that the government comes from the U.S. citizens. This raises a crucial question about individual rights and fairness for everyone. This idea is reflected in the contrast between republicanism and social democracy, highlighting the broader discussion about how the government should operate and ensure equality among all people.

Constitution of the US – History

The US Constitution was created by 55 delegates during a meeting in Philadelphia in 1787. Originally, they were supposed to fix the Articles of Confederation, the first set of rules for the country. However, they realized the Articles had big problems and decided to make a brand new document.

Making the Constitution wasn’t easy. The delegates argued about important things like how much power the states and the federal government should have, how to set up the legislature, and who could vote or hold office. They compromised on these issues, but the Constitution is still a bit complicated with some unclear parts.

The Constitution is a living document – it has changed meanings over time as courts interpreted it. It’s pretty amazing that the Founding Fathers made a document that could adjust to the country’s needs for more than 200 years.

Constitution of the US – Main Authors

The main people who wrote the Constitution were James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay. They were all part of the Constitutional Convention and had a major hand in drafting the document.

1. James Madison: James Madison is often called the “Father of the Constitution” because he made a big impact on writing it. He came up with the Virginia Plan, which was a big part of the Constitution. Madison also talked a lot about the Constitution in debates and wrote many Federalist Papers to support it.

2. Alexander Hamilton: Alexander Hamilton was also important in creating the Constitution. He really wanted a strong central government and had a big role in shaping the part about the executive branch. Hamilton, like Madison, wrote a bunch of Federalist Papers and is considered an important thinker in American history.

3. John Jay: John Jay was the third person in the group leading the writing of the Constitution. He was a lawyer and diplomat from New York, and he became the first Chief Justice of the United States. Jay strongly supported a federal system of government and had a big part in writing Article III of the Constitution, which sets up the judicial branch.

Apart from them, there were also other important people at the Constitutional Convention, like Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Roger Sherman, and Gouverneur Morris, who all made significant contributions to creating the Constitution.

Constitution of the US – Amendments

Here’s a list of U.S. Constitutional Amendments:

List of U.S. Constitutional Amendments
Amendment	Year	Description
First Amendment	1791	prohibits laws “respecting an establishment of religion” and protects freedoms of religion, speech, and the press and the rights to assemble peaceably and petition the government
Second Amendment	1791	protects the people’s right to “keep and bear arms”
Third Amendment	1791	prohibits the involuntary quartering of soldiers in private homes during peacetime
Fourth Amendment	1791	forbids unreasonable searches and seizures of individuals and property; requires probable cause for search warrants; prohibits nonspecific search warrants
Fifth Amendment	1791	protects the criminally accused by requiring indictment by a grand jury, prohibiting double jeopardy and forced self-incrimination, and forbidding deprivation of “life, liberty, or property, without due process of law”; bars the taking of private property for public use without “just compensation”
Sixth Amendment	1791	further protects the criminally accused by establishing the rights to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury, to be informed of criminal charges, to confront hostile witnesses, and to have the assistance of counsel
Seventh Amendment	1791	establishes rules governing civil trials
Eighth Amendment	1791	prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines, and “cruel and unusual punishments”
Ninth Amendment	1791	establishes that the enumeration of certain rights in the Constitution does not “deny or disparage” other rights “retained by the people”
Tenth Amendment	1791	reserves to the states those powers not delegated to the federal government or prohibited to the states by the Constitution
Eleventh Amendment	1795	establishes the principle of state sovereign immunity
Twelfth Amendment	1804	repeals and revises presidential election procedures established in the original Constitution
Thirteenth Amendment	1865	outlaws slavery
Fourteenth Amendment	1868	grants citizenship and equal civil and legal rights to African Americans and slaves who were emancipated after the American Civil War
Fifteenth Amendment	1870	guarantees that the right to vote cannot be denied based on “race, color, or previous condition of servitude”
Sixteenth Amendment	1913	permits a federal income tax
Seventeenth Amendment	1913	provides for the direct election of U.S. senators by the voters of the states
Eighteenth Amendment	1919	imposes the federal prohibition of alcohol
Nineteenth Amendment	1920	extends to women the right to vote
Twentieth Amendment	1933	changes the beginning and ending dates of presidential and congressional terms
Twenty-first Amendment	1933	repeals the Eighteenth Amendment
Twenty-second Amendment	1951	limits to two the number of terms a president of the United States may serve
Twenty-third Amendment	1961	permits citizens of Washington, D.C., the right to choose electors in presidential elections
Twenty-fourth Amendment	1964	prohibits the federal and state governments from imposing poll taxes before a citizen can participate in a federal election
Twenty-fifth Amendment	1967	sets succession rules relating to vacancies and disabilities of the office of the president and of the vice president
Twenty-sixth Amendment	1971	extends voting rights to citizens age 18 or older
Twenty-seventh Amendment	1992	requires any change to the rate of compensation for members of the U.S. Congress to take effect only after the subsequent election to the House of Representatives

Constitution of the US – Interesting Facts

• The United States Constitution is the oldest written national constitution still in use today. It has been the guiding document for the U.S. government for over 230 years, showcasing its enduring relevance.
• Despite its immense importance, the U.S. Constitution is surprisingly concise. It consists of only 4,543 words, making it one of the shortest constitutions of any major government in the world.
• James Madison, the “Father of the Constitution,” took detailed notes during the Constitutional Convention, providing a valuable firsthand account of the debates and discussions. These notes have become a crucial historical resource.
• The opening words of the Constitution, “We the People,” are not just a powerful statement but have also inspired various adaptations and references in popular culture, from songs to speeches.
• The Constitution is full of interesting numerical references. Article I, Section 8 lists the specific powers of Congress, and the famous Section 9 prohibits certain powers. Both sections are numbered 8 and 9, reflecting the symmetry and careful organization of the document.
• The minimum age requirement for a U.S. president (35 years old) may have been inspired by a provision in the British North America Act of 1867, which set the age of eligibility for appointment to the Canadian Senate.
• The 21st Amendment, which repealed Prohibition in 1933, is the only amendment to the Constitution that was ratified by state conventions rather than state legislatures.
• A unique aspect of the Constitution is a hidden feature known as the “trembling hand” or “sympathy stain.” It’s a small ink blot on the original document, believed to be deliberately placed by the scribe Jacob Shallus, possibly as a symbol of the human element in the creation of laws.
• The Constitution never mentions political parties. The Founding Fathers did not anticipate or address the development of a party system in American politics.
• The U.S. Constitution was not signed in the U.S. Capitol, as one might expect. It was signed in Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, then known as the Pennsylvania State House.

Conclusion – Constitution of US

The United States Constitution stands as a testament to the foresight and wisdom of its framers, who, over two centuries ago, embarked on the arduous journey of crafting a blueprint for a new and innovative form of government. Its endurance through time is a reflection of the adaptability ingrained within its concise yet profound words. From the visionary leadership of figures like James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay to the ageless principles encapsulated in the Preamble, the Constitution remains a living document, resonating with “We the People” across generations.

FAQs on Constitution of US

What is the main purpose of the Preamble of the US Constitution?

The Preamble serves to introduce the Constitution, outline the purposes of the government it creates, and express the founding ideals of the United States.

What is the Constitution of USA called?

Constitution of the United States of America, the fundamental law of the U.S. federal system of government and a landmark document of the Western world. The oldest written national constitution in use, the Constitution defines the principal organs of government and their jurisdictions and the basic rights of citizens.

Who wrote the US Constitution?

The main people who wrote the Constitution were James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay. Apart from them, there were also other important people at the Constitutional Convention, like Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Roger Sherman, and Gouverneur Morris, who all made significant contributions to creating the Constitution.

What are the 3 main ideas of the U.S. Constitution?

First it creates a national government consisting of a legislative, an executive, and a judicial branch, with a system of checks and balances among the three branches. Second, it divides power between the federal government and the states. And third, it protects various individual liberties of American citizens.

How does the Preamble of the US Constitution begin?

It begins with the iconic phrase, “We the People of the United States…”