In previous lessons you have learned why it was necessary for the Framers (55 representatives at the Philadelphia convention) to write a document  to organize the new nation's government. The document was called the United States Constitution.  If you need a little review, click on the  Patriot soldier!

In this lesson, we will look at the document itself.

CONSTITUTION

It starts with a Preamble, which is like an introduction.  It explains who created the document and gives the purposes of the government. 

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.

The Preamble has a lot of words in it and some you may not understand, but if you break it into smaller pieces, you may get the ideas.  The blue tells you who created the document, and the red gives you the purpose of writing it. 

Many people think the first three words "We the People" are the most important words, because they establish right away that it is a people's document and government, not a king or queen's document.

The rest of the Constitution is divided into seven Articles (Sections).  They use Roman Numerals to name the seven articles.  Click on it if you need a review of that numbering system.

Article I:  This section describes the Legislative Branch.  It includes information about The House of Representatives and the Senate.  Here you would find how they are elected, how often they are elected, how much they are paid, where they meet, what are their privileges and limitations, and the procedure for passing Bills. 

Article II: This section describes the Executive Branch.  It includes the qualifications to be President and Vice President,  the powers and the duties of the President, and the impeachment of the President.

Article III:  This section describes the Judicial Branch.  It includes the tenure of judges,  describes the types of Courts, and defines treason.  It also describes how new states can be admitted. 

Article V:  This section describes the Amendment Process.  If, at a later date, there should be a change to this document, this part describes how to make that change.

Article VI:  This section says that the Constitution and the Federal Laws are the most important.  They are the supreme laws of the Land.

Article VII: This section describes how the document is to be ratified.

In summary, our new country needed a plan for the new government.  A group of 55 men, called Framers, got together and wrote that plan, called the Constitution.  It proved to be a very well-written document and has served our country well for over 225 years.  

Through the years, some changes were made.  But remember in Article V, the Framers realized this would be necessary and included a process for these changes.  These changes were called The Bill of Rights.   Click on the following button to get to the lesson on that important document.

DEFINITIONS:

Roman Numerals:

  I  is  1;   II is  2;  III is  3 ; IV  is  4   ;   V is  5 ; VI is 6  ; VII is  7     

impeachment: removal from office

tenure:  length of term in years (e.g. 2 years, 4 years, 14 years)

treason: an act against your country

Amendment:  a change

ratified: agreed upon by all the states