United states of americas constitution of 1789 with. A brief explanation of the constitution of the united states. The constitution of the united states defined and carefully annotated. The preamble explains the purposes of the constitution, and defines the powers of the new government as. The constitution annotated provides a comprehensive overview of how the constitution has been interpreted over time and is now available on this new site with upgraded search capabilities. Article 2 establishes the second of the three branches of government, the executive. Take the quiz, interactive with answers checks and balances as provided by the constitution. Section 1 establishes the office of the president and the vicepresident, and sets their terms to be four years. The united states constitution is the highest law of the united states of america. This onestop civics education headquarters brings we the people to life through a handson museum experience and tools for teaching the.
The house of representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several. Analysis and interpretation, published in 1964 as senate. Only 12 of the original states actually took part in writing the us constitution. Nor does england have a constitution, neither written nor formulated. The unanimous declaration of the thirteen united states of america, when in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to. Nov 23, 2012 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 constitution of the united states of america see explanation preamble we the people see explanation article i the legislative branch see explanation section 1. The preamble outlines the constitution s purpose and guiding principles. Ame about rica embassy of the united states, berlin. Constitution of the united states of america bill of rights. Resources guide explore the links in the text of the constitution below to discover a variety of relevant, classroom ready, lessons and activities from the bill of rights institute.
Declaration of independence in congress, july 4, 1776. The united states constitution for kids introduction following the war of independence with great britain, the former colonies began to consider the best way to govern their newly created and uni. The constitution free middle school teaching resources. The constitution established not merely a league of states, but a government that exercised its authority directly over all citizens. The declaration of independence and the constitution of the united states are the two most important, and enduring documents in our nations history. The constitution is often hailed as a marvel of brevity and of clarity. A guiding question for each lesson is included below each section. Thus the only british constitution that exists is a set of rules and. Presidents are elected by the electoral college, whereby each state has one vote for each member of congress.
However, it also protects the citizens of the united states and guarantees their basic rights. The following text is a transcription of the constitution as it was inscribed by jacob shallus on parchment the document on display in the rotunda at the national archives museum. The executive power shall be vested in a president of the united states of america. The constitution in everyday english2008 twyman, whitney. It was, however, written in the 18th century, and many of the ideas, concepts, words, phrases, and euphemisms seem odd to us today, if not down right foreign. In which john green teaches you about the united states constitution. Other side of the coin depicts a sun dial and the latin word, fugio, meaning time flies. Constitution of the united states of america 17871 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 estab. When nine of the states ratified the document, they created a union of sovereign states, and a federal government. Legislative power vested see explanation section 2. A reader was developed for teaching the core course on the u. The constitution creates the branches of government and gives them the power to govern. The constitution of the united states preamble 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. It explained the rough organization of the three branches, how they would interact with the states, and how the document could be amended.
In the coming months, we will be making broader changes to. The constitution board game online know your rights a guide to the us constitution. The unanimous declaration of the thirteen united states of america, when in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the. In addition, it protects the powers reserved to the states and the rights of every individual. The constitution defines the powers delegated to the national government. Constitution helps children of grade 3 through grade 8 in learning the frequently used terms with the constitutional vocabulary, comprehend the seven basic principles, preamble, bill of rights, amendments 11 through 27, figure out the functions of three branches of the government, understand the system of checks and balances. It, 24, 35, same comprehensive meaning of people or electors in the.
A dedicated project team is available to assist customers. The belief was strong that a well regulated militia such as the national guard, in modern times was. Constitution is james madison and gouverneur morris. So begins the constitution of the united states, written in 1787 to replace the nations first guiding document, the 1777 articles of confederation.
Constitution of the united states of america 1787 page ii 4this clause has been affected by clause 2 of amendment xviii. Amendments on september 25, 1789, congress transmitted to the state legislatures twelve proposed united states amendments of which the first two dealt with congressional representation and congressional pay. Numbers three through twelve were adopted by the states to become the united states u. The service is built on wordpress, a webpublishing system that is flexible, scalable and easy to use. Rhode island did not attend the constitutional convention, though they eventually were the last state to ratify the document in the year 1790 benjamin franklin of pennsylvania was the oldest delegate at the constitutional convention at the age of 81yearsold. Jun 19, 2018 this book walks you through this revered document, explaining how the articles and amendments came to be and how they have guided legislators, judges, and presidents. Some of the more obscure words are defined in the glossary. Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the legislature thereof may direct, a number of electors, equal to the. Constitutional issues are dominating the news today.
A brief explanation of the constitution of the united states the constitution was adopted and signed by 39 of the 55 delegates to the constitutional convention in philadelphia, pennsylvania on september 17, 1787. Constitution was written and signed by men who craved independence from britain but who were nonetheless steeped in its history and ideals. It was signed on september 17, 1787 by the constitutional convention in philadelphia, pennsylvania. It has been hailed as the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man. During and after the american revolutionary war, the government of the new country operated under the articles of confederation. The online constitution annotated includes discussions of the supreme courts latest opinions. Constitution itself outlines the basic structure of the federal. Constitution, bill of rights, declaration of independence, and other rights laid out by americas founders. Constitution provides the original text and an explanation of the meaning of each article and amendment. The constitution of the united states for kids and.
To view this pdf as a projectable presentation, save the file, click view in the top menu bar of the file, and. Guarantees freedom of speech, religion, and press, and the right to assemble peaceably and petition the government for redress of grievances to ask it to fix something that its responsible for. We the people of the united states, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common. The enumeration in the constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. Preamble 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 article i article 1 legislative. Later, it was put into effect, or ratified, by representatives of the people of the first states. The constitution in plain english the constitution consists of a preamble, 7 articles, and 27 amendments. The constitution, originally comprising seven articles, delineates the national frame of government. A summary of the us constitution summary of the us constitution 1 the preamble the preamble lists the reasons that the original colonies separated from their mother country, and. Simplified united states constitution and bill of rights. The csac is a nonprofit, nonpartisan center dedicated to serving scholars, educators, and students who are interested in the american constitution in its historical context. The constitution was a spare document, providing few details about how the u.
The constitution of the united states pdf national constitution. For this very reason, great people have spent their lives studying and interpreting the constitution. The declaration of independence united states citizenship. The constitution of the united states of america us department of. The first 10 united states amendments are called the bill of rights. The bill of rights on september 25, 1789, congress transmitted to the state legislatures twelve proposed amendments to the constitution. Numbers three through twelve were adopted by the states to become the bill of rights in 1791. Its first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, whereby the federal government is divided into three branches. Constitution starts with some basic precepts of english governance, but then adds some uniquely american twists three branches of government that act to check and balance each other.
The bill of rights constitution of the united states. The text and history of the foreign emoluments clause. All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a congress of the united states, which shall consist of a senate and house of representatives. Their initial experiment with selfgovernment, the articles of confederation, created a governmental system in which. The constitution of the united states is the supreme law of the united states of america. House of representatives see explanation section 3. For more than 200 years, the constitution of the united states has been a working document, maintaining the original principles upon which our nation was founded while, at the same time, changing with the country, as reflected in its amendments. Constitution happened in 1789 with the agreement of 9 out of states. The federalists had been clamoring for a stronger central government, and the constitution was designed to provide this while balancing it with the rights of individual statesboth large and. The guide is an excellent research tool for students to use to gain a deeper understanding of one of our nations founding documents and the establishment of the federal government. The congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defence and general welfare of the united states.
It has been said that the declaration of independence was the promise. Preamble 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. The powers not delegated to the united states by the constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people. Constitution at hillsdale college divided into eleven sections with introductions by members of hillsdales politics department faculty, readings cover. Mar 21, 20 in which john green teaches you about the united states constitution. This book walks you through this revered document, explaining how the articles and amendments came to be and how they have guided legislators, judges, and presidents. The following is a synopsis or summary of the constitution and its terms, and should not be taken as a substitute for the. During and after the american revolutionary war, the government of the new country operated under the articles of.
This site offers free, printable versions of the founding documents of our republic, including the u. Carry copies of the entire constitution as a handy foldable booklet, or. Simplified united states constitution and bill of rights 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 of the united states of america bill of. Whereas the constitution of the united states of america. The united kingdom is one of the few countries of the world that does not have a written constitution. He shall hold his office during the term of four years, and, together with the vice president, chosen for the same term, be elected, as follows. We the people of the united states, in order to form a more perfect union. Formation of the new republic, the united states of america, for kids. For more than 200 years, the constitution of the united states has been a working document, maintaining the original principles upon which our nation was founded while, at the same time, changing with the country, as reflected in its. Analysis and interpretation us constitutionannotations of.