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Constitution of the United States: Difference between revisions
Constitution of the United States (view source)
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[[File:Constitution.ogg|thumb|Reading of the United States Constitution of 1787]] | [[File:Constitution.ogg|thumb|Reading of the United States Constitution of 1787]] | ||
The '''Constitution of the United States''' is the [[Supremacy Clause|supreme law]] of the [[United States]].{{sfn|Maier|2010|p=35}} It superseded the [[Articles of Confederation]], the nation's first [[constitution]], on March 4, 1789. Originally including seven articles, the Constitution delineates the frame of the [[Federal government of the United States|federal government]]. The Constitution's first three articles embody the doctrine of the [[separation of powers]], in which the federal government is divided into three branches: the [[United States Congress|legislative]], consisting of the [[bicameralism|bicameral]] Congress ([[Article One of the United States Constitution|Article I]]); the [[Federal government of the United States#Executive branch|executive]], consisting of the [[President of the United States|president]] and subordinate officers ([[Article Two of the United States Constitution|Article II]]); and the [[Federal judiciary of the United States|judicial]], consisting of the [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]] and other federal courts ([[Article Three of the United States Constitution|Article III]]). [[Article Four of the United States Constitution|Article IV]], [[Article Five of the United States Constitution|Article V]], and [[Article Six of the United States Constitution|Article VI]] embody concepts of [[federalism]], describing the rights and responsibilities of [[State governments of the United States|state governments]], the [[U.S. state|states]] in relationship to the federal government, and the shared process of constitutional amendment. [[Article Seven of the United States Constitution|Article VII]] establishes the procedure subsequently used by the 13 states to [[Ratification|ratify]] it. The Constitution of the United States is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world.<ref>[http://www.politifact.com/virginia/statements/2014/sep/22/bob-goodlatte/goodlatte-says-us-has-oldest-working-national-cons/ Goodlatte says U.S. has the oldest working national constitution], Politifact Virginia website, September 22, 2014.</ref>{{efn|Other countries, such as the | The '''Constitution of the United States''' is the [[Supremacy Clause|supreme law]] of the [[United States]].{{sfn|Maier|2010|p=35}} It superseded the [[Articles of Confederation]], the nation's first [[constitution]], on March 4, 1789. Originally including seven articles, the Constitution delineates the frame of the [[Federal government of the United States|federal government]]. The Constitution's first three articles embody the doctrine of the [[separation of powers]], in which the federal government is divided into three branches: the [[United States Congress|legislative]], consisting of the [[bicameralism|bicameral]] Congress ([[Article One of the United States Constitution|Article I]]); the [[Federal government of the United States#Executive branch|executive]], consisting of the [[President of the United States|president]] and subordinate officers ([[Article Two of the United States Constitution|Article II]]); and the [[Federal judiciary of the United States|judicial]], consisting of the [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]] and other federal courts ([[Article Three of the United States Constitution|Article III]]). [[Article Four of the United States Constitution|Article IV]], [[Article Five of the United States Constitution|Article V]], and [[Article Six of the United States Constitution|Article VI]] embody concepts of [[federalism]], describing the rights and responsibilities of [[State governments of the United States|state governments]], the [[U.S. state|states]] in relationship to the federal government, and the shared process of constitutional amendment. [[Article Seven of the United States Constitution|Article VII]] establishes the procedure subsequently used by the 13 states to [[Ratification|ratify]] it. The Constitution of the United States is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world.<ref>[http://www.politifact.com/virginia/statements/2014/sep/22/bob-goodlatte/goodlatte-says-us-has-oldest-working-national-cons/ Goodlatte says U.S. has the oldest working national constitution], Politifact Virginia website, September 22, 2014.</ref>{{efn|Other countries, such as the United Kingdom, [[Canada]], and [[New Zealand]], and other [[Commonwealth countries]], have constitutional provisions such as the [[Bill of Rights 1689]], among other statutes, that are older than the United States Constitution that are still in force to this day.}} | ||
The [[Timeline of drafting and ratification of the United States Constitution|drafting of the Constitution]], often referred to as its framing, was completed at the [[Constitutional Convention (United States)|Constitutional Convention]], which assembled at [[Independence Hall]] in Philadelphia between May 25 and September 17, 1787.{{sfn|Maier|2010|pp=27–28}} Delegates to the convention were chosen by the state legislatures of 12 of the [[Thirteen Colonies|13 original states]]; [[Rhode Island]] refused to send delegates.<ref name=Bio /> The convention's initial mandate was limited to amending the Articles of Confederation, which had proven highly ineffective in meeting the young nation's needs.{{sfn|Maier|2010|pp=11–13}} Almost immediately, however, delegates began considering measures to replace the Articles.{{sfn|Rakove|1996|pp=102–104}} The first proposal discussed, introduced by delegates from [[Virginia]], called for a bicameral (two-house) Congress that was to be elected on a proportional basis based on state population, an elected chief executive, and an appointed judicial branch.<ref name=AvalonVirginia /> An alternative to the [[Virginia Plan]], known as the [[New Jersey Plan]], also called for an elected executive but retained the legislative structure created by the Articles, a unicameral Congress where all states had one vote.<ref name=AvalonNewJersey /> | The [[Timeline of drafting and ratification of the United States Constitution|drafting of the Constitution]], often referred to as its framing, was completed at the [[Constitutional Convention (United States)|Constitutional Convention]], which assembled at [[Independence Hall]] in Philadelphia between May 25 and September 17, 1787.{{sfn|Maier|2010|pp=27–28}} Delegates to the convention were chosen by the state legislatures of 12 of the [[Thirteen Colonies|13 original states]]; [[Rhode Island]] refused to send delegates.<ref name=Bio /> The convention's initial mandate was limited to amending the Articles of Confederation, which had proven highly ineffective in meeting the young nation's needs.{{sfn|Maier|2010|pp=11–13}} Almost immediately, however, delegates began considering measures to replace the Articles.{{sfn|Rakove|1996|pp=102–104}} The first proposal discussed, introduced by delegates from [[Virginia]], called for a bicameral (two-house) Congress that was to be elected on a proportional basis based on state population, an elected chief executive, and an appointed judicial branch.<ref name=AvalonVirginia /> An alternative to the [[Virginia Plan]], known as the [[New Jersey Plan]], also called for an elected executive but retained the legislative structure created by the Articles, a unicameral Congress where all states had one vote.<ref name=AvalonNewJersey /> | ||