The United States Constitution

The United States Constitution is composed of seven articles and 27 amendments. The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights. Its preamble begins with the renown phrase, “We the People.” The seven articles were signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788.

Preamble to the United States 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, 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.

Articles of the United States Constitution

Article I – Legislative Branch

Section 1 Article I – Congress

Section 2 Article I – The House of Representatives

Section 3 Article I – The Senate

Section 4 Article I – Elections

Section 5 Article I – Powers and Duties of Congress

Section 6 Article I – Rights and Disabilities of Members

Section 7 Article I – Legislative Process

Section 8 Article I – Powers of Congress

Section 9 Article I – Powers Denied Congress

Section 10 Article I – Powers Denied to the States

Article II – Executive Branch

Section 1 Article II

Section 2 Article II

Section 3 Article II

Section 4 Article II

Article III – Judicial Branch

Section 1 Article III

Section 2 Article III

Section 3 Article III

Article IV – States, Citizenship, New States

Section 1 Article IV

Section 2 Article IV

Section 3 Article IV

Section 4 Article IV

Article V – Amendment Process

Article VI – Debts, Supremacy, Oaths, Religious Tests

Article VII – Ratification

Amendments

First Amendment – Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition

Second Amendment – Right to Bear Arms

Third Amendment – Quartering of Soldiers

Fourth Amendment – Search and Seizure

Fifth Amendment – Grand Jury, Double Jeopardy, Self Incrimination, Due Process, Takings

Sixth Amendment – Right to Speedy Trial by Jury, Witnesses, Counsel

Seventh Amendment – Jury Trial in Civil Lawsuits

Eighth Amendment – Excessive Fines, Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Ninth Amendment – Non-Enumerated Rights Retained by People

10th Amendment – Rights Reserved to States or People

11th Amendment – Suits Against States

12th Amendment – Election of President and Vice President

13th Amendment – Abolition of Slavery

Section 1 13th Amendment

Section 2 13th Amendment

14th Amendment – Citizenship Rights, Equal Protection, Apportionment, Civil War Debt

Section 1 14th Amendment

Section 2 14th Amendment

Section 3 14th Amendment

Section 4 14th Amendment

Section 5 14th Amendment

15th Amendment – Right to Vote Not Denied by Race

Section 1 15th Amendment

Section 2 15th Amendment

16th Amendment – Income Tax

17th Amendment – Popular Election of Senators

18th Amendment – Prohibition of Liquor

Section 1 18th Amendment

Section 2 18th Amendment

Section 3 18th Amendment

19th Amendment – Women’s Right to Vote

20th Amendment – Presidential Term and Succession, Assembly of Congress

Section 1 20th Amendment

Section 2 20th Amendment

Section 3 20th Amendment

Section 4 20th Amendment

Section 5 20th Amendment

Section 6 20th Amendment

21st Amendment – Repeal of Prohibition

Section 1 21th Amendment

Section 2 21th Amendment

Section 3 21th Amendment

22nd Amendment – Two-Term Limit on Presidency

Section 1 22nd Amendment

Section 2 22nd Amendment

23rd Amendment – Presidential Vote for D.C.

Section 1 23rd Amendment

Section 2 23rd Amendment

24th Amendment – Abolition of Poll Taxes

Section 1 24th Amendment

Section 2 24th Amendment

25th Amendment – Presidential Disability and Succession

Section 1 25th Amendment

Section 2 25th Amendment

Section 3 25th Amendment

Section 4 25th Amendment

26th Amendment – Right to Vote at Age 18

Section 1 26th Amendment

Section 2 26th Amendment

27th Amendment – Congressional Compensation