The United States Constitution is the written form of government since 1787, it was written by the Framers to replace the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution is an agreement between the citizens and the Federal government, in which American citizens grant power to the government and trust them to protect their rights and freedom.
In the Constitution the structure of the Federal government is defined. Separation of powers and a Check and Balances system are stated to delimitate power and prevent an abuse of power.
The Constitution is organized in: Preamble, Seven Articles, Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments) and other 17 Amendments.
Preamble:
The Preamble of the United States Constitution is the Introduction, it states the purpose of the Federal government and its general goals (form a perfect union, insure domestic tranquility, provide defense, secure the blessings of liberty and establish justice).
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, 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".
Seven Articles:
Article I defines the powers and limits granted to the legislative branch of government, under each Article there are clauses to explain more in detail the function of each branch, the clause under Article I, called "Necessary and Proper" clause is the most controversial one in the Constitution because it gives implied power to the Congress.
The clause states:
"The Congress shall have Power ... To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof".
Article II defines the executive branch, Article III defines the Supreme Court as the head of the Judicial branch, Article IV states the relationship of the states, Article V explains the process for passing amendments on the Constitution, Article VI states that the Constitution is the highest power of the nation, and Article VII states that nine states are needed to ratify the Constitution.
Amendments:
The First 10 Amendments of the United States Constitution create the Bill of Rights, this 10 amendments were added by the Federalists so the Anti-Federalist would vote to ratify the Constitution. The Bill of Rights protect the individual liberties and rights of the American citizens, and example is the first amendment:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances".
This first amendment protects the freedom of religion and speech, and the right to assemble.
The next 17 Amendments have been passed through the years (the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendment were passed after the Civil War).
