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The Constitution of the United States: The Foundation of American Government

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The U.S. Constitution, effective from March 4, 1789, is the supreme law of the United States, outlining the federal government's structure and principles. It was drafted at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, where compromises like the Connecticut Compromise and the Three-Fifths Compromise were made to balance interests of different states and address the issue of slavery. The Constitution has been amended 27 times, with the first ten amendments known as the Bill of Rights. Its enduring legacy continues to influence governance and law both domestically and internationally.

The Constitution of the United States: The Foundation of American Government

The Constitution of the United States, adopted on September 17, 1787, and effective from March 4, 1789, serves as the supreme law of the land and the bedrock of American governance. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, which had proven inadequate for the needs of the burgeoning nation, and established a federal system with checks and balances among three distinct branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The Constitution's seven articles delineate the scope of federal authority, the interplay between state and federal powers, and the procedures for its own amendment. As the oldest written constitution still in use, it reflects the innovative efforts of the framers during the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.
Group of people in late 18th century clothing discuss around a table with documents, quills and inkwell in a naturally lit room.

The Constitutional Convention and the Framing of the Constitution

The Constitutional Convention, held in Philadelphia's Independence Hall from May 25 to September 17, 1787, was a pivotal gathering of delegates from 12 of the original 13 states, with Rhode Island abstaining. Initially convened to revise the Articles of Confederation, the delegates soon resolved to draft an entirely new constitution. The Virginia Plan, advocating for representation based on population, and the New Jersey Plan, calling for equal representation for each state, were two significant proposals that shaped the debates. The resulting document incorporated the Connecticut Compromise, which established a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the House of Representatives and equal representation in the Senate, balancing the interests of large and small states.

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00

The ______ of the United States was adopted on ______ and came into effect on ______.

Constitution

September 17, 1787

March 4, 1789

01

The Constitution's ______ articles outline federal authority, state-federal relations, and the process for ______.

seven

amendment

02

As the oldest ______ constitution still active, it was crafted during the ______ in ______.

written

Constitutional Convention

Philadelphia

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