The Constitution of the United States
The Constitution of the United States, written in 1787, is the foundation of the U.S. Government, and all ensuing laws. It consists of a preamble (that we all had to learn in high school) and seven (7) articles. The purpose of the Constitution was to define how the federal government would interact with it citizens and states.
It was written by 55 old, white guys, otherwise known as the "Framers". In order for it to become law it had to be ratified by nine of the thirteen colonies. It took two and a half years for all thirteen colonies to ratify it, and on Sept. 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, the Constitution and its seven Articles were adopted as United States law. Here's the idiot's version to the Constitutional Articles.
Article 1: Gives Congress its power and limits. (Congress is the branch of government that makes the laws for the country), and defines the two branches of Congress; the Senate and House of Representatives.
Article 2: Creates the Executive Branch (President and executive officers) of government, giving it the authority for administration of the government on a daily basis.
Article 3: Creates the Judicial branch (Supreme Court and lower courts) and authorized them to interpret the law.
Article 4: Defines the responsibilities and duties of the States, and the responsibility of the federal government to the States.
Article 5: States that the only way the Constitution can be changes is by adding Amendments.
Article 6: States that any debts or agreements that the country had prior to adopting of the Constitution are still valid. It also states that the Constitution is the highest law and all officers and judges have to uphold that law.
Article 7: Explains how many states have to ratify the Constitution.
For you U.S. Government geeks, here's the 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 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.
Okay, now the Amendments to the Constitution.
It was written by 55 old, white guys, otherwise known as the "Framers". In order for it to become law it had to be ratified by nine of the thirteen colonies. It took two and a half years for all thirteen colonies to ratify it, and on Sept. 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, the Constitution and its seven Articles were adopted as United States law. Here's the idiot's version to the Constitutional Articles.
Article 1: Gives Congress its power and limits. (Congress is the branch of government that makes the laws for the country), and defines the two branches of Congress; the Senate and House of Representatives.
Article 2: Creates the Executive Branch (President and executive officers) of government, giving it the authority for administration of the government on a daily basis.
Article 3: Creates the Judicial branch (Supreme Court and lower courts) and authorized them to interpret the law.
Article 4: Defines the responsibilities and duties of the States, and the responsibility of the federal government to the States.
Article 5: States that the only way the Constitution can be changes is by adding Amendments.
Article 6: States that any debts or agreements that the country had prior to adopting of the Constitution are still valid. It also states that the Constitution is the highest law and all officers and judges have to uphold that law.
Article 7: Explains how many states have to ratify the Constitution.
For you U.S. Government geeks, here's the 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 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.
Okay, now the Amendments to the Constitution.