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U.S. Constitution study guide: Difference between revisions
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[[Constitution (US)|Constitution]] of the United States | [[Constitution (US)|Constitution]] of the United States | ||
Original Constitution | * notes: | ||
as adopted by the Constitutional Convention of 1787 Preamble | ** [bracketed] sections have been amended | ||
** (parenthetical titles) are not in the original text | |||
** click EXPAND for definitions and explanations | |||
== Original Constitution <div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"; div-style="inline-block";> | |||
constitution | |||
= fundamental law; in the United States: the supreme law of the land | |||
= sets the underlying rules and structures for a government or organization | |||
The United States Constitution is the oldest and shortest written constitution in the world. | |||
The purpose of the U.S. Constitution was to structure a new government and to set the extents (powers) and limits of it. The Constitution has been amended 27 times, with the first ten amendments being known as the "Bill of Rights." | |||
The U.S. Constitution was adopted by the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and went into effect once it was ratified by nine of the thirteen original states. The new government it formed was opened on March 4, 1789. | |||
</div> as adopted by the Constitutional Convention of 1787 == | |||
==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. | 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. | ||
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== Article I == | == Article I == | ||
===Section 1. 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. | ===Section 1.=== 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. | ||
=== Section 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.=== | === Section 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.=== | ||