U.S. Constitution

Definition

The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the United States, establishing the framework for the federal government and outlining the rights and freedoms of individuals. It was drafted in 1787 and has been amended 27 times, reflecting the evolving needs of American society while providing a stable legal foundation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The U.S. Constitution is composed of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments, making it one of the shortest written constitutions in the world.
2. It was created during the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, where delegates addressed weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation.
3. The Constitution establishes three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial, each with distinct powers and responsibilities.
4. Amendments can be proposed either by a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress or by a convention called for by two-thirds of state legislatures.
5. The Supremacy Clause in Article VI establishes that the Constitution and federal laws made pursuant to it are the supreme law of the land, overriding state laws.

Review Questions

• How does the U.S. Constitution establish a system of checks and balances among the three branches of government?
  • The U.S. Constitution creates a system of checks and balances by distributing powers across the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Each branch has specific responsibilities and authority, along with mechanisms to monitor and limit the powers of the others. For example, Congress can pass laws, but the President has the power to veto them, while the judiciary can rule laws unconstitutional, ensuring that no single branch becomes too powerful.
• Discuss how federalism is reflected in the structure of the U.S. Constitution and its implications for state versus federal authority.
  • Federalism is embedded in the U.S. Constitution through its division of powers between the federal government and state governments. The Constitution outlines specific powers granted to the federal government while reserving all other powers to the states. This structure allows for a balance of authority, where states can legislate on local matters but must also comply with federal laws, which can create tensions regarding jurisdiction and authority.
• Evaluate how the amendment process outlined in the U.S. Constitution reflects societal changes over time and its impact on American rights.
  • The amendment process in the U.S. Constitution is designed to be rigorous yet flexible, allowing for societal changes to be incorporated into law without losing foundational principles. The ability to amend requires significant consensus—either two-thirds of both houses of Congress or two-thirds of state legislatures—ensuring that changes reflect broad public support. This process has allowed for important amendments like those in the Bill of Rights and later civil rights protections, demonstrating how evolving societal values are recognized within the constitutional framework.

Related terms

Bill of Rights: The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution that guarantee individual liberties and protections against governmental overreach.

Federalism: The system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and individual states, as established by the U.S. Constitution.

Checks and Balances: A fundamental principle of the U.S. Constitution that ensures no single branch of government becomes too powerful by providing each branch with oversight over the others.