The original us constitution is housed in the national archives in washington, d. Spring flowers poppies and lupine, goleta point, n. The constitution of the united states national archives. A reader was developed for teaching the core course on the u.
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. The constitution of the united states of america us department of. List of amendments to the united states constitution simple. The executive power shall be vested in a president of the united states of america. 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. Constitution of the united states simple english wikipedia. 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. 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. 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. The constitution, originally comprising seven articles, delineates the national frame of government. Us constitution in simple english elizabeth claires easy. Us constitution in simple english elizabeth claires. The constitution of the united states is the supreme law of the united states of america. Their initial experiment with selfgovernment, the articles of confederation, created a governmental system in which.
The constitution of the united states is the oldest federal constitution now in use. A brief explanation of the constitution of the united states. The constitution full text the national constitution. 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. If a solider comes to your home, you do not have to house him or her.
Later, it was put into effect, or ratified, by representatives of the people of the first states. It has been hailed as the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man. From a patriotically illustrated bill of rights bookmark to a parchmentlook version of the constitution, you can easily reference the fundamental laws and governing documents of the united states of america. 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.
Declaration of independence in congress, july 4, 1776. Wordpress web hosting and content management is offered to enterprise customers i. On march 4, 1789, america officially adopted the united states constitution, which established the u. The center regards the contents of this site to be responsible and valuable, but these contents do not reflect official policy or recommendation of the board of the federal judicial center. This bill of rights foldable booklet contains the first ten amendments to the united states constitution. Published by max maxfield secretary of state patricia obrien arp deputy. Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the legislature thereof may direct, a number of electors, equal to the. New amendments can be added to the us constitution with the approval by a twothirds vote in each house of congress 67 for the senate, 281 in the house of representatives and threefourth vote by the states 38. Nov 12, 2019 constitutional amendments 110 make up what is known as the bill of rights.
Since the constitution went into effect on march 4, 1789, twentyseven amendments have been added to the constitution. List of amendments to the united states constitution. The first ten amendments were adopted and ratified. The articles of confederation simplified approved by all states between 1777 and 1781. 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. It was passed because some people were afraid that the government would have too much power. Congress senate house of representatives president vice president supreme court while the constitution immediately proved to. As is described in the declaration of independence, under the american constitution, the people grant certain powers to the government, and in return, the. The constitution defines the powers delegated to the national government. Constitution of the state of wyoming includes all amendments through november 12, 2008. When nine of the states ratified the document, they created a union of sovereign states, and a federal government. Article iii, section 2, of the constitution was modified by amendment 11. 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 constitution in everyday english2008 twyman, whitney.
Take the quiz, interactive with answers checks and balances as provided by the constitution. The following is a synopsis or summary of the constitution and its terms, and should not be taken as a substitute for the. Its first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, whereby the federal government is divided into three branches. Follow the instructions page to create a pocketsized pamphlet. Constitution was written and signed by men who craved independence from britain but who were nonetheless steeped in its history and ideals. The first ten of these amendments are together called the bill of rights. Simplified constitution of the united states atl computing. The judicial power of the united states shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted. This page gives just a short summary of each of these amendments. Congress cannot get a pay raise until the next term. The constitution of the united states freedom train for kids.
This page is a list of the amendments to the united states constitution. The declaration of independence and the constitution of the united states are the two most important, and enduring documents in our nations history. Since 1787, changes have been made to the united states constitution 27 times by amendments changes. Jaw, as distinguished from ordinary law are, 1, the summary and immediate seizure of all the. It is a contract between the people and the government.
Twentyseven of these, having been ratified by the requisite number of states 38, since 1959, are part of the constitution. The bill of rights constitution of the united states. Every person has the right to go to any place of worship that they choose to attend. Congress shall consist of two houses, a senate and a house of representatives. The first ten amendments were ratified just four years after the constitution itself and are known as the bill of rights. The constitution established not merely a league of states, but a government that exercised its authority directly over all citizens. The amendments to the constitution charter for compassion. The preamble to the united states constitution is a brief introductory statement of the fundamental purposes and guiding principles which the constitution is meant to serve. It expresses in general terms the intentions of its authors, and is sometimes referred to by. The first 10 united states amendments are called the bill of rights. It has been said that the declaration of independence was the promise.
The birth of the constitution of the united states of america a constitution is the document that constitutes or creates a government. The us constitution was put into writing on september 17, 1787 by the constitutional convention. 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. In addition, it protects the powers reserved to the states and the rights of every individual. A dedicated project team is available to assist customers.
The enumeration in the constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. The constitutions of california and the united states with. The constitution in simple english 2010 elizabeth claire, inc. We the people constitution miniunit the constitutional convention of 1787. The right to not be searched or have something taken away within reason. The constitution is often hailed as a marvel of brevity and of clarity. The constitution board game online know your rights a guide to the us constitution. The service is built on wordpress, a webpublishing system that is flexible, scalable and easy to use. Constitution, bill of rights, declaration of independence, and other rights laid out by americas founders. Constitution 1 congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The constitution of the united states, which entered into force in 1789, is the oldest written national constitution in use. Numbers three through twelve were adopted by the states to become the united states u. Carry copies of the entire constitution as a handy foldable booklet, or refer to one article or amendment at a time. Us constitution book, bill of rights and declaration of independence travel size.
The federal judicial center produced and maintains this site in furtherance of its statutory mission. Lawsuits the eleventh amendment was proposed on march 4, 1794, and ratified on february 7,1795. They were afraid that some important things could be made illegal. Must be 25 years old, will serve for two years each. Hamilton helped bring about a constitutional conven tion that met in philadelphia, pennsylvania, in 1787 to revise the articles of confederation. The house of representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several. Constitution at hillsdale college divided into eleven sections with introductions by members of hillsdales politics department faculty, readings cover. Foldable booklets american founding documents including constitution, bill of rights, and declaration of independence, free to download and print. The constitution gives the power of making laws to congress. The constitution of the united states constituting america. This site offers free, printable versions of the founding documents of our republic, including the u.
The constitution explains the countrys legislative, executive, and judiciary branches, defining the roles of the following. 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. The belief was strong that a well regulated militia such as the national guard, in modern times was. Defines the house of representatives, known as the lower house of congress. The united states constitution is the highest law of the united states of america. It was signed on september 17, 1787 by the constitutional convention in philadelphia, pennsylvania. Constitution included a provision whereby the document may be amended, generally though not solely by a twothirds majority of each house of. Under americas first national government, the articles of confederation, the states acted together only for specific purposes.
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. The constitution united its citizens as members of a whole, vesting the power of the union in the. 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. The bill of rights protects the freedom of, and from, religion. Some of the more obscure words are defined in the glossary. The constitution of the united states for kids and. The freedom of religion, speech, and to peacefully assemble together. The articles of confederation simplified approved by all. 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.
Ame about rica embassy of the united states, berlin. The constitution of the united states defined and carefully annotated. To view this pdf as a projectable presentation, save the file, click view in the top menu bar of the file, and. The articles of confederation has sections called articles. The constitution full text the national constitution center.
Make all laws that are necessary and proper to carry out their responsibilities under the constitution. Created the name of the combined states as the united states of america. Things that are not in the constitution some may surprise you. John marshall gamble crocker art museum, melza and ted barr collection, 2008. For more information about each amendment, click on the links in the box at the right of. Us constitution book, bill of rights and declaration of independence travel size pocket constitution on. The links take you to articles containing the text and a detailed summary of each. Formation of the new republic, the united states of america, for kids. 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. For more information about each amendment, click on the links in the box at the right of this page. The bill of rights on september 25, 1789, congress transmitted to the state legislatures twelve proposed amendments to the constitution. Congress cannot prohibit the immigration of a person to the u.
The constitution of the state of wyoming was adopted in convention at cheyenne, wyoming on september 30, 1889 and ratified by the people of wyoming on november 5, 1889. Thirtythree amendments to the united states constitution have been proposed by the united states congress and sent to the states for ratification since the constitution was put into operation on march 4, 1789. Simplified united states constitution and bill of rights. Every citizen of this state owes paramount allegiance to the constitution and government of the united states, and no law or ordinance of the state in contravention or subversion thereof can have any binding force. Arabic french german italian japanese korean portuguese russian simplified chinese. The preamble to the united states constitution is a brief introductory statement of the fundamental.
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. The elements and summary of the constitution the following table contains all of the elements and the summary of each the us constitution simplified. Mar 16, 2020 the constitution acted like a colossal merger, uniting a group of states with different interests, laws, and cultures. The constitution of the united states for kids and teachers.
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