1. The US
constitution
For Dummies
What is the constitution?
The US constitution was written
at the Constitutional Convention
in Philadelphia in 1787 and
subsequently ratified by the
original thirteen states. It is the
highest law in the USA. All other
laws come from the constitution
and it says how Government
works. Each state also has a
constitution but the US
constitution is higher.
Did you know?
The constitution can be change by an amendment. Among them is a list of the
people’s rights. It is illegal for the Government to violate those rights and by 2006
there have only been 27 amendments and not all involve rights but a lot do. The last
change to the constitution was made in1992.
The Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments make up
the Bill of rights. It was ratified in
1791.
Did you know?
An example of what the constitution can do:
The constitution brought the ultimate end to
slavery. In 1787 most of the black people in
America were slaves. Most of those against
slavery lived in North America and they were
called abolitionists- the South however, had
different ideas. Slavery in the South was how the
people made their money. When President
Lincoln was elected he said he didn’t like
slavery and many of the Southern states
disapproved. They then began to break away
from the USA and then the Civil War came
about. Fortunately, the 13th Amendment made
slavery illegal and the 14th Amendment said
every one born in the USA was a citizen. The
15th Amendment made sure black people could
vote.
At first only nine of the thirteen states had to agree to the
constitution. However everyone wanted all thirteen states to
agree. Once the first nine states agreed the constitution was
ratified.
How it all works
The constitution is set up into three branches- Legislative,
Executive and Judiciary. Each plays a role in how the law is
made and used. The Legislature is Congress- it is split in
two, the House of Representatives and Senate. There are
collectively 435 Representatives- each comes from a district
in one of the states. When the Congress wants to pass a law,
the House and Senate must both agree.