U.S. Constitution

Definition

The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the United States, established in 1787 to outline the framework of government and protect individual rights. It created a federal system with a separation of powers among three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial, while also addressing issues such as states' rights and the balance of power. The Constitution serves as a foundational document, embodying principles of democracy and rule of law.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Constitution was drafted during the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 and was ratified in 1788, replacing the Articles of Confederation.
2. The document outlines the structure of government, establishing the legislative (Congress), executive (President), and judicial (Supreme Court) branches.
3. The Great Compromise led to a bicameral legislature, balancing representation by population in the House of Representatives and equal representation in the Senate.
4. The Constitution can be amended, with the first ten amendments known as the Bill of Rights, which were added to protect individual liberties against government infringement.
5. The ratification process required approval from nine states, leading to intense debates between Federalists, who supported a strong central government, and Anti-Federalists, who favored more state power.

Review Questions

• How did the Constitutional Convention address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation when drafting the U.S. Constitution?
  • The Constitutional Convention aimed to rectify the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation by creating a stronger federal government with defined powers. Delegates recognized that under the Articles, Congress lacked authority to tax and regulate commerce effectively. The new Constitution established a bicameral legislature, granting Congress more power to create laws and collect taxes, while also setting up a system of checks and balances to prevent any one branch from becoming too dominant.
• Discuss the significance of the Bill of Rights in relation to the U.S. Constitution and its impact on American citizens' rights.
  • The Bill of Rights is significant because it explicitly guarantees individual freedoms that were not clearly outlined in the original U.S. Constitution. Ratified in 1791 as the first ten amendments, it addresses fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly. This addition not only helped to appease Anti-Federalist concerns about governmental overreach but also established a precedent for protecting civil liberties that continues to shape American law and society.
• Evaluate how the principles embedded in the U.S. Constitution influence modern governance and civil rights discussions in America today.
  • The principles in the U.S. Constitution continue to play a crucial role in shaping modern governance and discussions surrounding civil rights. Concepts like federalism and checks and balances ensure that power remains distributed and prevents tyranny. Additionally, constitutional interpretations regarding individual rights have evolved through landmark Supreme Court cases, impacting contemporary debates on issues such as freedom of expression, voting rights, and equal protection under the law. The ongoing dialogue about constitutional amendments reflects society's efforts to adapt foundational principles to current values.

Related terms

Federalism: A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and smaller political units, like states.

Bill of Rights: The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing specific individual liberties and rights.

Checks and Balances: A system that ensures that no single branch of government becomes too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the powers of the others.