U.S. Constitution (Simplified)

Simplified U.S. Constitution

The Constitution consists of a preamble, 7 articles, and 27 amendments. The preamble explains why it was written. The seven articles lay out the three branches of government and the rules they have to follow, and the basic way the U.S. government will operate. The 27 amendments guarantee the rights of the people and give more specific rules under which the government will operate.

The 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 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.”

The Preamble to the United States Constitution is a brief introductory statement of the fundamental purposes and guiding principles which the Constitution is meant to serve. It expresses in general terms the intentions of its authors, and is sometimes referred to by courts as evidence of what the Founding Fathers thought the Constitution meant and what they hoped it would achieve (especially as compared with the Articles of Confederation).

What the Preamble Means in Simple Terms

We the people of the United States – The people are the ultimate authority (popular sovereignty).
Form a more perfect Union – To create a stronger and better government than the previous Articles of Confederation.
Establish Justice – To set up a fair system of laws and courts.
Insure domestic Tranquility – To maintain peace within the country.
Provide for the common defense – To create a national defense to protect against threats.
Promote the general Welfare – To support economic, social, and health well-being.
Secure the Blessings of Liberty – To protect freedom for current and future generations.
Do ordain and establish – To officially create and give power to this government.

Article 1: The Legislative Branch

The first article sets up the national legislature and details its powers.

Section 1: The Legislative Branch

This section grants Congress the power to make laws and states that it will be made up of two parts: the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Section 2: The House of Representatives

This section decides how often representatives are chosen, how long a representative can stay in office, how many representatives each state gets, what happens if a representative vacates their seat, how a Speaker is chosen, and the House’s ability to impeach officials.

Section 3: The Senate

This section states that each state will have two senators in the Senate. One-third of the Senate is up for election every two years.

It also outlines the age, residency, and citizenship requirements to become a senator. The Vice President is the President of the Senate and can vote in the case of a tie.

The Senate has the power to choose its own officers, select a temporary president if needed, and act as a jury during the impeachment of executive or judicial branch officials.

Section 4: Organization of Congress

The method used to choose U.S. Senators and Representatives is determined by the states. Congress is required to assemble at least once a year.

Section 5: The House’s Jobs

Each house will be the judge of its own elections and the qualifications of its members. Each house may set its own rules and punish members for disorderly behavior.

Both houses of Congress must keep a journal of daily proceedings.

Section 6: Money and War-Time Jobs

Each senator and representative will be paid for their services by the U.S. Treasury. They will also be immune from arrest—except for treason, felony, and breach of the peace—while attending a session of Congress and while traveling to and from it.

No senator or representative will be appointed to any civil office during wartime.

Section 7: Bills

All bills for raising revenue must originate in the House of Representatives. Any bill passed by both houses goes to the President for approval before becoming law.

If the President rejects a bill, Congress can override the rejection if two-thirds of both the House and Senate vote in favor of it.

Section 8: Powers Granted to Congress

Congress has the power to:

Collect taxes, duties, and excises to pay debts and provide for defense.
Borrow money on the credit of the United States.
Regulate trade with foreign nations.
Make laws regarding naturalization and bankruptcies.
Coin money and set measurement standards.
Punish counterfeiters.
Establish post offices and postal roads.
Grant copyrights and patents.
Punish piracy on international waters.
Declare war.
Raise and support armed forces for national defense.
Call forth the militia (National Guard) when necessary.
Make laws necessary to carry out its responsibilities under the Constitution.

Section 9: Powers Forbidden to Congress

Congress is prohibited from:

Banning immigration but can charge immigrants a tax.
Suspending habeas corpus except in times of rebellion or invasion.
Passing a bill of attainder (punishing someone without trial).
Passing an ex post facto law (criminalizing something after it has already happened).
Imposing direct taxes (unless based on population).
Taxing goods exported from states.
Giving unfair economic advantages to one state over another.
Taking money from the national treasury without Congress voting on it.
Granting titles of nobility.

Section 10: Powers Forbidden to the States

States are forbidden from:

Entering treaties with foreign nations.
Issuing their own money.
Granting titles of nobility.
Imposing duties on imports or exports without Congress’ consent.
Raising and maintaining an army during peacetime without Congress’ approval.

Article 2: The Executive Branch

The second article sets up the executive branch of the national government and details its powers.

Section 1: The President and Vice President

The executive power is given to a President of the United States. The President serves a four-year term, along with the Vice President.

Each state selects electors equal to the total number of its Senators and Representatives in Congress.

To become President, a person must:

Be a natural-born citizen of the United States.
Be at least 35 years old.
Have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years.

If the President is removed from office, dies, resigns, or is unable to perform duties, the Vice President takes over.

The President will receive a fixed salary and may not receive any other pay from the U.S. or any state during the term.

Before taking office, the President must take the following oath: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

Section 2: Powers of the President

The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the military and state militias when called into service.

The President may require opinions from the heads of executive departments.

The President has the power to:

Grant pardons and reprieves, except in cases of impeachment.
Make treaties, with the approval of two-thirds of the Senate.
Nominate ambassadors, Supreme Court justices, and other federal officials, with Senate approval.
Fill vacant government positions temporarily during Senate recess.

Section 3: Responsibilities of the President

The President must:

Give Congress updates on the state of the nation (State of the Union Address).
Recommend laws that are necessary and beneficial.
Call special sessions of Congress when needed.
Ensure that laws are faithfully executed.
Receive ambassadors and other foreign officials.

Section 4: Impeachment

The President, Vice President, and other U.S. officials can be removed from office if convicted of:

Treason
Bribery
Other high crimes and misdemeanors

Article 3: The Judicial Branch

The third article sets up the national judiciary and details its powers.

Section 1: The Supreme Court

The judicial power of the United States is given to the Supreme Court and any lower courts that Congress establishes.

Judges of both the Supreme Court and lower courts serve for life, as long as they maintain good behavior.

Judges will receive a salary that cannot be reduced while they are in office.

Section 2: Jurisdiction of the Courts

Federal courts have authority over cases involving:

The Constitution
Federal laws
Treaties
Disputes between states
Disputes involving the U.S. government
Disputes between citizens of different states
Foreign diplomats and cases at sea

The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction (first authority) in cases involving foreign diplomats and disputes between states.

In all other cases, the Supreme Court hears appeals from lower courts.

All criminal trials, except for impeachment, must have a jury and be held in the state where the crime happened.

Section 3: Treason

Treason is defined as:

Waging war against the United States
Helping the enemy by giving them aid or comfort

To be convicted of treason, a person must either:

Confess in court
Be proven guilty by two witnesses to the same crime

Congress has the power to set the punishment for treason, but punishment cannot extend to the criminal’s family.

Article 4: Relations of the States to Each Other

Article Four establishes relations among the states and with the federal government.

Section 1: Full Faith and Credit

Each state must recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states.

This means that legal documents like marriage licenses, court rulings, and contracts must be honored across all states.

Section 2: Rights of Citizens

Citizens of each state are entitled to the same rights and privileges as citizens of all other states.

A person who commits a crime in one state and flees to another must be returned to the original state upon request (extradition).

Section 3: New States and Territories

Congress has the power to admit new states into the Union.

No new state can be formed within an existing state or by merging states without the consent of both Congress and the states involved.

Congress also has authority over U.S. territories and federal land.

Section 4: Protection of States

The U.S. government guarantees every state a republican form of government (representative democracy).

The federal government must protect states from invasion and, upon request, help put down internal violence or rebellion.

Article 5: Amending the Constitution

Article Five describes how the Constitution can be changed (amended).

To propose an amendment, either:

Two-thirds of both the House of Representatives and the Senate must approve it.
Two-thirds of state legislatures must call for a Constitutional Convention to propose amendments.

To become part of the Constitution, an amendment must be ratified by:

Three-fourths of state legislatures.
Or by special conventions in three-fourths of the states.

All amendments must be ratified within a reasonable time (currently considered seven years).

Article 6: National Debts, Supremacy of the National Government

National Debts

All debts and commitments made by the U.S. government before the Constitution was adopted remain valid.

Supremacy of the National Government

The U.S. Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land. State laws cannot contradict them.

If a state law conflicts with a federal law, the federal law wins.

Oaths of Office

All federal and state officials must take an oath to support the U.S. Constitution.

There is no religious test required to hold public office.

Article 7: Ratifying the Constitution

The Constitution had to be approved (ratified) by at least nine of the thirteen original states to become law.

The Amendments

The first ten amendments, known as the **Bill of Rights**, were ratified in 1791. The remaining amendments were added over time.

1st Amendment

Guarantees freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

2nd Amendment

Protects the right to keep and bear arms.

3rd Amendment

Prohibits the forced quartering of soldiers in private homes during peacetime.

4th Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures; requires a warrant for searches.

5th Amendment

Protects against self-incrimination, double jeopardy, and guarantees due process.

6th Amendment

Guarantees a speedy and public trial, an impartial jury, and the right to an attorney.

7th Amendment

Guarantees the right to a jury trial in civil cases over $20.

8th Amendment

Prohibits excessive bail, fines, and cruel or unusual punishment.

9th Amendment

Protects rights not specifically listed in the Constitution.

10th Amendment

Reserves powers not given to the federal government to the states and the people.

11th Amendment (1795)

Limits lawsuits against states in federal court.

12th Amendment (1804)

Modifies the process for electing the President and Vice President.

13th Amendment (1865)

Abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime.

14th Amendment (1868)

Grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. and guarantees equal protection under the law.

15th Amendment (1870)

Prohibits racial discrimination in voting rights.

16th Amendment (1913)

Allows Congress to impose an income tax.

17th Amendment (1913)

Provides for the direct election of U.S. Senators by the people.

18th Amendment (1919)

Prohibits the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol (Prohibition).

19th Amendment (1920)

Grants women the right to vote.

20th Amendment (1933)

Changes presidential and congressional term start dates (“Lame Duck Amendment”).

21st Amendment (1933)

Repeals Prohibition (18th Amendment).

22nd Amendment (1951)

Limits the President to two terms in office.

23rd Amendment (1961)

Grants Washington, D.C. electoral votes in presidential elections.

24th Amendment (1964)

Prohibits poll taxes in federal elections.

25th Amendment (1967)

Establishes procedures for presidential succession and disability.

26th Amendment (1971)

Lowers the voting age to 18.

27th Amendment (1992)

Delays congressional pay raises until after the next election.