Seven articles. About 4,400 words.
The original Constitution, signed in 1787, is short. Its seven articles set up three branches, describe their relation to the states, and say how the document itself can change. Here they are in plain terms, with a link to the full text.
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, 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. Full transcript at the National Archives
- I
Article I. The Legislative Branch
Vests lawmaking power in a Congress of two houses. Sets how Representatives and Senators are chosen, their terms and qualifications, and lists the powers of Congress, including taxing, borrowing, regulating commerce, declaring war and making laws “necessary and proper” to carry out its powers. Limits Congress (no suspension of habeas corpus except in rebellion or invasion, no bills of attainder or ex post facto laws) and limits the states.
- II
Article II. The Executive Branch
Vests executive power in a President elected through electors for a four-year term. Sets qualifications and succession, makes the President commander in chief, and gives the power to make treaties and appoint officers with the Senate’s advice and consent. The President must “take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed,” and may be removed on impeachment for and conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
- III
Article III. The Judicial Branch
Vests judicial power in one Supreme Court and lower courts Congress creates. Judges hold office during good behavior. Defines the cases federal courts may hear, guarantees jury trial for crimes, and defines treason narrowly.
- IV
Article IV. The States
Requires each state to give full faith and credit to the acts and judgments of other states, guarantees citizens the privileges and immunities of citizens in every state, provides for admitting new states, and guarantees every state a republican form of government.
- V
Article V. Amendment
Sets how the Constitution may be amended: proposed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress or by a convention called at the request of two-thirds of the states, and ratified by three-fourths of the states. All twenty-seven amendments so far were proposed by Congress.
- VI
Article VI. Supremacy and Oaths
Makes the Constitution, federal laws made under it, and treaties “the supreme Law of the Land.” Requires federal and state officials to swear to support the Constitution and bars any religious test for public office.
- VII
Article VII. Ratification
Provides that ratification by conventions in nine states is enough to establish the Constitution among those states.
Summaries are paraphrases for orientation; the text is the authority. Quoted phrases are from the original.
Then the amendments. Twenty-seven so far.
Ten arrived together in 1791 as the Bill of Rights. Seventeen more followed, three of them in the five years after the Civil War.
Read the record for yourself. Draw your own conclusions.
Every decision, amendment and event links to its source. Nothing here asks you to agree with anything.