The Constitution

THE CONSTITUTION of the United States is the nation's fundamental law, providing the framework for its governance [how to govern] and the principles [the ideas]under which it must operate. The courts then can change the laws as times change.

The first constitution of the United States was the ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION ratified in 1781. Because this document left too much sovereignty to the states, it was not good enough, so they held a Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in May 1787



The framers were the men who wrote it. 55 statesmen came, and 39 signed it on September 17, 1787. Among the men who signed it were George Washington (the first President), Alexander Hamilton ( the first Secretary of the Treasury), James Madison (political philosopher and 4th President), Benjamin Franklin (scientist, inventor, diplomat), and Thomas Jefferson (the author of the Declaration of Independence).

[This is the preamble, the first sentences BEFORE the Constitution.]

“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 [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.”


[We the people of the United States, have put together this Constitution because we want our country to be united. We want a country that brings justice to everyone, that makes people feel calm, that will provide military protection so people won't feel threatened, and make sure that we keep our freedoms for ourselves and for all those people who come after us.]