To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the union. The founders of the constitution were delegates appointed by the state legislatures to represent each states welfare. Constitution, bill of rights, declaration of independence, and other rights laid out by americas founders. It sets up a federal system by dividing powers between the national and state. Constitution article i through article x the bill of rights. At the same time, the framers of the new constitution of the united states took steps to limit the power of the national government and to protect the rights of the people. Constitution included a provision whereby the document may be amended, generally though not solely by a twothirds majority of each house of congress followed by ratification by legislatures in threefourths of the states. Ratified in 1789, the constitution of the united states has served as the nations framework of government for 226 years and is. Adobe acrobat reader is required to view these pdf files. Constitution of the united states of america bill of rights.
The following text is a transcription of the constitution as it was inscribed by jacob shallus on parchment the document on display in the rotunda at the national archives museum. The constitution of the united states as a printable pdf file. The house of representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several. The declaration of independence and the constitution of the united states are the two most important, and enduring documents in our nations history. 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. The positioning of congress at the beginning of the. All debts contracted and engagements entered into, before the adoption of this constitution, shall be as valid against the united states under this constitution, as under the confederation. The constitution of the united states of america see explanation preamble we the people see explanation article i the legislative branch see explanation section 1.
Numbers three through twelve were adopted by the states to become the united states u. The constitution creates the branches of government and gives them the power to govern. Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the legislature thereof may direct, a number of electors, equal to the. The constitution united its citizens as members of a whole, vesting the power of the union in the. It has been said that the declaration of independence was the promise. Its first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, whereby the federal government is divided into three branches. Vermont, in convention, ratified the constitution january 10, 1791, and was, by an act of congress approved february 18, 1791, received and admitted into this union as a new and entire member of the united states. 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.
Mar 16, 2020 the constitution acted like a colossal merger, uniting a group of states with different interests, laws, and cultures. The executive power shall be vested in a president of the united states of america. Please note that the next update of this compilation will not take place until after the conclusion of the 53rd legislature, 1st regular session, which convenes on january 9, 2017. 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.
Constitution included a provision whereby the document may be amended, generally though not solely by a twothirds majority of each house of. United kingdoms constitution of 1215 with amendments through 20. Article i bill of rights that the general, great and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized and established, we declare. 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. This complete constitution has been generated from excerpts of texts from the repository of the comparative constitutions project, and distributed on. Carry copies of the entire constitution as a handy foldable booklet, or refer to one article or amendment at a time. The constitution of the united states index page the u.
This constitution, and the laws of the united states. The constitution, originally comprising seven articles, delineates the national frame of government. Welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the. The congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. Constitution provides the original text and an explanation of the meaning of each article and amendment. This site offers free, printable versions of the founding documents of our republic, including the u. 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.
Constitution with the approval by a twothirds vote in each house of congress 67, 281 and threefourth vote by the states 38. A reader was developed for teaching the core course on the u. Published by max maxfield secretary of state patricia obrien arp deputy. The constitution of the united states of america see explanation preamble we the people see explanation. The congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three.
The constitution of the united states of america us department of. Constitution is the oldest federal constitution in existence and was framed by a convention of delegates. A constitution as a legal, social and political document constitutions as legal instruments a constitution marries power with justice lutz 2006. Constitution of the state of wyoming includes all amendments through november 12, 2008. Constitution and bylaws of northern illinois university. Article 1 the legislative branch section 10 powers prohibited of states. The constitution of the united states defined and carefully annotated. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this constitution, when ratified by the legislatures. Discuss two ways in which the constitution of the united states has created a strong national federal government paragraph 1 identify and discuss two methods included in the constitution to limit the power of the national government p2 provide two examples on how the constitution protects the rights of the people p3. No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation. Under americas first national government, the articles of confederation, the states acted together only for specific purposes. A guiding question for each lesson is included below each section.
Constitution of india full text national portal of india. I, which creates a congress consisting of a senate and a house of. The constitution of the united states, which entered into force in 1789, is the oldest written national constitution in use. Declaration of independence in congress, july 4, 1776.
In other languages constitution day materials, us constitution. Legislative power vested see explanation section 2. Arizona state constitution the arizona revised statutes have been updated to include the revised sections from the 52nd legislature, 2nd regular session. United states constitution article 1, section 8 the congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the united states. Basic law for the federal republic of germany deutscher. Constitution of the united states of america 1787 page ii 4this clause has been affected by clause 2 of amendment xviii. Article 1 the legislative branch section 10 powers prohibited of states of contents next. 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. The fundamental law, written or unwritten, that establishes the character of a government by defining the basic principles to which a society must conform. The congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to. Constitution of the united states of america17871 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 estab. The preamble outlines the constitutions purpose and guiding principles.
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. It describes the three chief branches of the federal government and their jurisdictions, and lays out the basic rights of citizens of the united states. Standing committees of the university council article 5. Read the constitution continued 2 each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two thirds, expel a member. The bill of rights on september 25, 1789, congress transmitted to the state legislatures twelve proposed amendments to the constitution. Constitution of the united states of america1787 page ii 4this clause has been affected by clause 2 of amendment xviii. The constitution of the united states national archives. We the people of the united states, in order to form a more perfect union. 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 assume among the powers of the. However, it also protects the citizens of the united states and guarantees their basic rights. The american republic constitution for the united states of america article vi 6.
The right of citizens of the united states to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the united states or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. 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. Constitution of the united states of america as amended. A reader, which contains over one hundred primary sources concerning american constitutional history. United kingdoms constitution of 1215 with amendments. United states of americas constitution of 1789 with. The constitution consists of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments.
This constitution or founding document is easy to download and print. United states of americas constitution of 1789 with amendments through 1992. Preamble to the united states constitution, september 17, 1787. Texas is a free and independent state, subject only to the constitution of the united states, and. Faculties, standing committees, councils and boards of the faculty and administration. Constitution at hillsdale college divided into eleven sections with introductions by members of hillsdales politics department faculty, readings cover.
The constitution acted like a colossal merger, uniting a group of states with different interests, laws, and cultures. Resources guide explore the links in the text of the constitution below to discover a variety of relevant, classroom ready, lessons and activities from the bill of rights institute. Constitution of the united states of america bill of. The american republic constitution for the united states of. Articles in addition to, and amendment of the constitution of the united states of america, proposed by congress, and ratified by the legislatures of the several. The constitution of the united states is the supreme law of the united states of america.
989 336 1422 916 447 1487 187 930 806 295 230 110 1532 1066 276 561 193 1141 206 1564 175 1294 1192 1025 1389 216 554 1160 360 699 1151