The Constitution of the United States Of America (1787)

Drafted in Philadelphia in 1787, the Constitution of the United States of America is the supreme law of the nation and one of the most influential documents in history.

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0:00 Article 1. The Legislative Branch
15:06 Article 2. The Executive Branch
21:20 Article 3. The Judicial Branch
23:54 Article 4. The States
26:05 Article 5. Amendments
26:58 Article 6. Legal Status of the Constitution
27:59 Article 7. Ratification

It was created to replace the Articles of Confederation, a system that had proven too weak to manage the needs of the newly independent states. The framers sought to design a durable framework of government capable of balancing order and liberty, unity and independence, strength and restraint.

At its core, the Constitution establishes a federal republic in which authority is divided between the national government and the individual states. It outlines three distinct branches of government—legislative, executive, and judicial—each with defined powers and responsibilities. This separation of powers, along with a system of checks and balances, was designed to prevent the concentration of authority in any single branch and to ensure accountability.

The text opens with its famous Preamble, beginning with the words “We the People of the United States…”. This declaration asserts that sovereignty rests not with kings or distant authorities, but with the citizens themselves. The Preamble sets forth the guiding purposes of the new government: to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty.

The main body of the Constitution is organized into seven articles. These articles address the structure and powers of Congress, the presidency, and the federal courts; define the relationship between states; outline the process of amendment; and establish the Constitution as the supreme law of the land. Notably, Article V provides a mechanism for amendment, allowing the Constitution to evolve and adapt over time while preserving its core principles.

In 1788, after vigorous debate, the Constitution was ratified by the states. However, many citizens feared that it did not adequately protect individual freedoms. To address these concerns, the first ten amendments—collectively known as the Bill of Rights—were adopted in 1791. These amendments guarantee essential liberties such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press; the right to a fair trial; and protections against unreasonable searches and punishments.

Over more than two centuries, the Constitution has been amended twenty-seven times. These amendments have abolished slavery, expanded voting rights, established direct election of senators, limited presidential terms, and clarified procedures of governance. The document’s adaptability is one of its greatest strengths, allowing it to endure while guiding a rapidly changing society.

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