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What Would You Change About The Constitution

The Us Constitution: Facts well-nigh the country's founding document

Image of the first line of the Constitution written in calligraphy on papyrus.
Written over 200 years agone, the Constitution forms the foundation of Us federal authorities, state authority and citizen rights. (Image credit: Shutterstock)

The Constitution is the legal condition and framework for the United states of america of America. Containing 7 articles and 27 amendments to date, it is the supreme law of the country, outlining the powers of the federal government and private states, as well every bit citizens' rights.

The Constitution was drafted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and signed on Sep. 17, 1787 by 39 representatives from 12 states, including George Washington, who would become the outset president nether the Constitution. Ii years later, ten amendments were added to the document, forming the Beak of Rights.

When was the U.South. Constitution written?

Work on the Constitution began during the War of Independence (1776 to 1783). The Articles of Confederation were produced equally a basis for a central regime, and designed to establish a "business firm league of friendship" for the states. However, the Articles were criticized by government leaders for beingness weak and bereft to govern.

In 1781, political leaders created the Congress of the Confederation as the governing torso of the United States, tasked with more closely unifying the original xiii American Colonies under one organisation of police force. But by 1787, multiple political leaders, including Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay, began calling for reforms and a new constitution.

Related: Why is the Constitution and then difficult to interpret?

On May 25, 1787, the Constitutional Convention convened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with the goal of writing a new lawmaking of governance for the United States that would establish the needs of a federal government, without compromising the rights of each land. Representatives from 12 states attended the convention (Rhode Island did not send a delegate).

After several months of grueling debate, the result of the Convention was the U.S. Constitution, which was signed on Sep. 17, 1787 and so sent to the states for ratification. New Hampshire was the 9th and final state to ratify the Constitution on June 21, 1788.

After the ratification, Congress scheduled federal elections to occur between Dec. 15, 1788 and Jan. ten, 1789, with the Constitution going into issue on March 4, 1789, according to the National Constitution Center.

Who wrote the Constitution?

Although he certainly had loads of help, James Madison is generally considered the "Father of the Constitution." (Prototype credit: Shutterstock)

Virginian delegate and future president, James Madison, was largely responsible for drafting and assembling the Constitution. He was a highly influential effigy during the 1787 Convention and is sometimes known as the "Father of the Constitution." Nonetheless, the certificate was also the upshot of vigorous contend betwixt other delegates, including Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin and George Washington, who presided over the convention. Those direct involved in the diction of the Constitution are known as the "framers."

Related: Photos: Alexander Hamilton lived hither until the infamous duel

What is in the Constitution?

The Constitution consists of vii Articles that define the U.S. government in three branches: the executive, legislature and judiciary. The document as well includes checks and balances to ensure that one branch cannot exceed its authority over the others.

Related: Why are there 9 Supreme Courtroom justices?

Article One explains how the legislature functions within Congress between the House of Representatives and the Senate; Article Two defines the executive elected by the Electoral College; and Commodity Three divides the judiciary between the Supreme Court and federal courts.

Manufactures Four, Five and Vi define the concept of federalism in relation to the state governments, while Article Seven explains the procedure for states to ratify changes to the Constitution.

What is a constitutional Amendment?

In improver to the Articles, the Constitution too contains 10 original Amendments known as the Bill of Rights. This was introduced past James Madison shortly afterwards the ratification of the Constitution in 1789. The aim of the Bill of Rights was to protect the Constitution, while providing specific guarantees of personal freedoms and the rule of police force. It also confirms the separation of powers that are not applicable to the federal regime, to the states or individual citizens.

The First Amendment guarantees the freedom of faith, the printing, the right to assemble and the right to petition the U.S. government for redress of grievances. This was revolutionary in its fourth dimension, but is considered a fundamental right today.

Related: How Like shooting fish in a barrel Would It Be to Repeal the second Amendment?

Since the original ten amendments, a further 17 have been added to create a full of 27. Among the near significant of these is the 13th Amendment, which outlaws slavery. Information technology was ratified in 1865 at the terminate of the American Civil War subsequently much contend. Other notable amendments include the 19th Subpoena, which enabled women to vote start in 1920, and the 22nd Amendment restricted presidents to 2 terms in part beginning in 1951.

Related: How does impeachment work?

Some amendments have faced challenges and controversy over the years, including the 2nd Subpoena, which gives all citizens the right to acquit arms. Meanwhile, the 5th Amendment allows citizens to protect themselves from cocky-incrimination (better known as the correct to remain silent) during criminal prosecutions.

The 18th Amendment introduced the prohibition of alcohol in 1919. When the enforcement of this amendment proved highly difficult and as public opinion changed, it was repealed by the 21st Amendment in 1933. This repealed Prohibition, which makes the 18th Amendment the simply one to ever be abolished.

Why is the Constitution important?

The U.Southward. Constitution is recognized as the oldest written and codified national constitution that is in force today. Considering of its revolutionary content and the current pre-eminence of the Usa every bit a global ability, information technology has had a significant impact worldwide, particularly with its ideas of freedom, federalism, presidential executives and independent judiciaries.

Related: What are the dissimilar types of government?

According to former acquaintance justice of the Supreme Courtroom, Sandra Solar day O'Connor'southward introduction in the book "Fourth dimension The Constitution: The Essential User'south Guide" (Time, 2012), the United states' most important document has profound value. O'Connor wrote:

"What makes the Constitution worthy of our commitment? It is, quite but, the most powerful vision of freedom ever expressed. It'southward as well the earth's shortest and oldest constitution, neither so rigid as to be stifling, nor and so malleable every bit to be devoid of pregnant.

"In 1787, no country in the world had ever immune its citizens to select their ain class of government, much less to select a democratic government. What was revolutionary when it was written, and what continues to inspire the world today, is that the Constitution put governance in the hands of the people."

This article was contributed by All About History mag.

All About History is the only history magazine that is equally entertaining as it is educational. Bringing History to life for readers of all ages.

Source: https://www.livescience.com/US-Constitution.html

Posted by: fifeabloome.blogspot.com

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