We the People of the United States
U.S. Constitution 101
Imagine the excitement in 1787!
After much sacrifice; after much bloodshed; after much hope for a new and better life -
Liberty!
Revolutionary! Citizen-rule is forming, "to establish Justice, insure domestic tranquility . . . secure the blessings of Liberty to ourselves
and our posterity . . ."
U.S. Constitution timeline
The united states constitution is the law of the land
The U.S. Constitution states the powers granted and the powers prohibited to each branch of U.S. government.
The 9th Amendment states: The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
The 10th Amendment states: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
The Supreme Law of the Land
1. The Constitution of the United States
2. All laws made in pursuance thereof (based on Constitutionality)
3. All Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States
4. All judges in every State shall be bound thereby, notwithstanding any thing in the constitution or laws of any State to the contrary.
Under The Constitution: The Government system is broken down into three (3) departments, also known as branches – the Legislative, the Executive and the Judicial.
Each department, or branch is equal to the other and they act as a “check” on the other branch's powers, and have rules to keep their own branch in check and balanced. “checks and balances” ensures that no one branch of government - or all three combine power - and become tyrannical with the awesome powers the People entrust in their care.
The Legislative branch is the Law-making Branch of the U.S. Government
The the law-making power of the United States government is limited to the Congress. The Congress has two chambers (bodies) :
- the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The Legislative branch is a bicameral system - two legislative bodies - both chambers are required to make laws.
Neither chamber of Congress acting separately can enact a law.
Congress can not delegate its power to make laws to an executive department or to an administrative officer, nor can any department or officer repeal, extend, or modify an act of Congress. But Congress may vest in executive officers the power to make necessary rules and regulations to enforce a law.
Article I, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution states:
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.
Article I, Sections 1 – 10 include the following:
The Senate
1. How Senate is composed
2. Eligibility Requirements for office
3. Tenure of office
4. By whom chosen Art
5. When chosen
6. How classed
7. Vacancies
8. Vote
9. Presiding officer
10. Senate Powers
The House of Representatives
1. Proportion
2. Apportionment
3. Eligibility
4. Term of office
5. By whom chosen
6. Electors
7. Vacancies
8. Census
9. House powers
The Executive Branch of the United States of America
Article II, Sections 1 of the U.S. Constitution states:
The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. 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
Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.
Article II, Sections 1 – 4 include the following:
1. Term of office
2. By whom chosen
3. Voting & Electors
4. Oath of Office
5. Salary
6. Powers & Duties
7. Vacancies
The Judicial Branch of the United States of America
Article III, Section 1
The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.
Article III, Sections 1 – 3 include the following:
1. The Judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority. . .
A transparent government system is necessary for citizens to keep check on rules, regulations and laws which might infringe on their Rights, Liberties and Freedoms as outlined in the Constitution.
The media - Investigative journalists are essential to bring forth information to the public to highlight transparency of government actions and policies, and to expose misdeeds by their representatives. civil rights U.S. Constitution 101
E-Pluribus Unum - Out of Many, One
The u.s. constitution Amendments
The Constitution provides that an amendment may be proposed either:
1) by the Congress with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate
or
2) by a Constitutional Convention called for by two-thirds of the State legislatures.
The Congress proposes an amendment in the form of a joint resolution.
Did you know?
None of the 27 Amendments to the Constitution have been proposed by State's Constitutional Convention.
The "Bill of Rights" refers to the first 10 Amendments of U.S. Constitution Amendments
early american government - organizing under self-rule
The United States Continental Congress
The colonies united on September 5, 1774 - as the First Continental Congress. Assembled in Philadelphia, This important body was attended by delegates from the colonies, but unlike the future U.S. Constitution, the representation of the people was indirect.
Before the Congress adjourned on October 26, 1774, it provided for another meeting of Congress to address any further foreign or domestic issues.
The Second Continental Congress assembled in Philadelphia May 10, 1775. It passed the Declaration of Independence, and continued in session until the close of the Revolutionary War. The new Congress assembled under the U.S. Constitution.
During this time, hostilities had begun and the Minute Men of New England were besieging the British forces in Boston. The delegates were much the same as in the earlier Congress, and they realized the need of assuming the war power necessary to carry on the conflict . . . Independence, national standing, confederation, and State rights were conjoined speedily (The Story of the Constitution, p.13).
1777 - Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union written
1787 Convention to revise Articles of Confederation, which resulted in the U.S. Constitution:
Excerpt from Center for legislative archives for records of Congress :
Seventy-four delegates were appointed to the convention, of which 55 actually attended sessions. Rhode Island was the only state that refused to send delegates. Dominated by men wedded to paper currency, low taxes, and popular government, Rhode Island's leaders refused to participate in what they saw as a conspiracy to overthrow the established government. Other Americans also had their suspicions.
Patrick Henry, of the flowing red Glasgow cloak and the magnetic oratory, refused to attend, declaring he "smelt a rat." He suspected, correctly, that Madison had in mind the creation of a powerful central government and the subversion of the authority of the state legislatures. Henry along with many other political leaders, believed that the state governments offered the chief protection for personal liberties. He was determined not to lend a hand to any proceeding that seemed to pose a threat to that protection.
(https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/more-perfect-union)
U.S. Constitution 101 civil rights
America's First Social Contract