The United States Constitution is the nation’s supreme law. Ratified in 1788 and effective in 1789, it creates a federal system with separated powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches and reserves undelegated powers to the states or the people.
Structure
- Preamble
- Seven Articles (I–VII) covering Congress, the presidency, the judiciary, states, amendments, federal supremacy, and ratification.
- Amendments, including the Bill of Rights (Amendments I–X) and later expansions of rights and procedures.
Principles
- Separation of powers and Checks and balances
- Federalism
- Judicial review (developed through case law)