US Constitution
Overview
The US Constitution is the foundational legal document of the United States, establishing the framework for the federal government and—through later amendments—outlining the rights of its citizens. Ratified in 1788, the nearly 8,000-word document consists of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. Drafted in 1787, the framers designed the Constitution to replace the Articles of Confederation, which had left the federal government unable to tax, regulate commerce, or enforce laws.
The document established a stronger national system built on the separation of powers among three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—while limiting each through checks and balances. Several key compromises shaped the document. The Great Compromise established a bicameral legislature, with the House of Representatives apportioned according to population and the Senate providing equal representation to each state. The Three-fifths Compromise counted enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation purposes, a policy reversed in the aftermath of the Civil War 80 years later.
Since ratification, the Constitution has been amended sparingly, reflecting an intentionally complex process. Today, it remains the oldest active written national constitution in the world and a central reference point for political debate and governance in the US.
1440 Findings
Hours of research by our editors, distilled into minutes of clarity.
Explore Civics
An informed citizenry is the backbone and bulwark of a vibrant democracy. From the principles behind the founding of the country to the forces that shaped our modern institutions, explore the most illuminating and insightful Civics resources from across the internet.