Original Intent

The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It was completed on September 17, 1787, with its adoption by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was later ratified by special conventions in each of the original thirteen states. It created a federal union of sovereign states, and a federal government to operate that union. It replaced the less defined union that had existed under the Articles of Confederation. It took effect in 1789 and has served as a model for the ...

Including:

• United States Constitution - History
• United States Constitution - The Constitution
• United States Constitution - Principles of government
• United States Constitution - Preamble
• United States Constitution - Articles of the Constitution
• United States Constitution - Legislative power
• United States Constitution - Executive power
• United States Constitution - Judicial power
• United States Constitution - States' powers and limits
• United States Constitution - Process of amendment
• United States Constitution - Federal power
• United States Constitution - Ratification
• United States Constitution - Provisions for amendment
• United States Constitution - Amendments
• United States Constitution - The Bill of Rights 1–10
• United States Constitution - Subsequent amendments 11–27
• United States Constitution - Unratified Amendments
• United States Constitution - Expired Amendments
• United States Constitution - Proposals for amendments
• United States Constitution - International influences on the development of the Constitution
• United States Constitution - International influences of the Constitution
• United States Constitution - Legality of the Constitution
• United States Constitution - General
• United States Constitution - Related documents
• United States Constitution - Related Authors

Read more here: » United States Constitution: Encyclopedia - United States Constitution

The Constitution has a total of 27 amendments. The first ten, collectively known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified simultaneously. The following seventeen were ratified separately. United States Constitution - The Bill of Rights 1–10. The Bill of Rights comprises the first ten amendments to the Constitution. Those amendments were all adopted within a few years of the ratification of the Constitution, and all relate to limiting the power of the federal government. They were added in response to critici ...

See also:

United States Constitution, United States Constitution - History, United States Constitution - The Constitution, United States Constitution - Principles of government, United States Constitution - Preamble, United States Constitution - Articles of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legislative power, United States Constitution - Executive power, United States Constitution - Judicial power, United States Constitution - States' powers and limits, United States Constitution - Process of amendment, United States Constitution - Federal power, United States Constitution - Ratification, United States Constitution - Provisions for amendment, United States Constitution - Amendments, United States Constitution - The Bill of Rights 1–10, United States Constitution - Subsequent amendments 11–27, United States Constitution - Unratified Amendments, United States Constitution - Expired Amendments, United States Constitution - Proposals for amendments, United States Constitution - International influences on the development of the Constitution, United States Constitution - International influences of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legality of the Constitution, United States Constitution - General, United States Constitution - Related documents, United States Constitution - Related Authors

Read more here: » United States Constitution: Encyclopedia II - United States Constitution - Amendments

The Constitution has a total of 27 amendments. The first ten, collectively known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified simultaneously. The following seventeen were ratified separately. United States Constitution - The Bill of Rights 1–10. Main article: United States Bill of Rights The Bill of Rights comprises the first ten amendments to the Constitution. Those amendments were adopted between 1789 and 1791, and all relate to limiting the power of the federal government. They were ...

See also:

United States Constitution, United States Constitution - History, United States Constitution - The Constitution, United States Constitution - Constitutional law, United States Constitution - Principles of government, United States Constitution - Preamble, United States Constitution - Articles of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legislative power, United States Constitution - Executive power, United States Constitution - Judicial power, United States Constitution - States' powers and limits, United States Constitution - Process of amendment, United States Constitution - Federal power, United States Constitution - Ratification, United States Constitution - Corrections, United States Constitution - Provisions for amendment, United States Constitution - Amendments, United States Constitution - The Bill of Rights 1–10, United States Constitution - Subsequent amendments 11–27, United States Constitution - Unratified Amendments, United States Constitution - Expired Amendments, United States Constitution - Proposals for amendments, United States Constitution - International influences on the development of the Constitution, United States Constitution - International influences of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legality of the Constitution, United States Constitution - General, United States Constitution - Related documents, United States Constitution - Related Authors

Read more here: » United States Constitution: Encyclopedia II - United States Constitution - Amendments

The Preamble reads: 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 neither grants any powers nor inhibits any actions; it only explains the rationale behind the Constitutio ...

See also:

United States Constitution, United States Constitution - History, United States Constitution - The Constitution, United States Constitution - Constitutional law, United States Constitution - Principles of government, United States Constitution - Preamble, United States Constitution - Articles of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legislative power, United States Constitution - Executive power, United States Constitution - Judicial power, United States Constitution - States' powers and limits, United States Constitution - Process of amendment, United States Constitution - Federal power, United States Constitution - Ratification, United States Constitution - Corrections, United States Constitution - Provisions for amendment, United States Constitution - Amendments, United States Constitution - The Bill of Rights 1–10, United States Constitution - Subsequent amendments 11–27, United States Constitution - Unratified Amendments, United States Constitution - Expired Amendments, United States Constitution - Proposals for amendments, United States Constitution - International influences on the development of the Constitution, United States Constitution - International influences of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legality of the Constitution, United States Constitution - General, United States Constitution - Related documents, United States Constitution - Related Authors

Read more here: » United States Constitution: Encyclopedia II - United States Constitution - Preamble

Although the Constitution has been amended several times since it was first adopted, its basic principles remain the same now as in 1789. There are three branches of the national government—executive, legislative, and judicial—and they are separate and distinct from one another. The powers given to each are in theory balanced and checked by the powers of the other two. Each branch ideally serves as a check on potential excesses of the others. This is known as "separation of po ...

See also:

United States Constitution, United States Constitution - History, United States Constitution - The Constitution, United States Constitution - Constitutional law, United States Constitution - Principles of government, United States Constitution - Preamble, United States Constitution - Articles of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legislative power, United States Constitution - Executive power, United States Constitution - Judicial power, United States Constitution - States' powers and limits, United States Constitution - Process of amendment, United States Constitution - Federal power, United States Constitution - Ratification, United States Constitution - Corrections, United States Constitution - Provisions for amendment, United States Constitution - Amendments, United States Constitution - The Bill of Rights 1–10, United States Constitution - Subsequent amendments 11–27, United States Constitution - Unratified Amendments, United States Constitution - Expired Amendments, United States Constitution - Proposals for amendments, United States Constitution - International influences on the development of the Constitution, United States Constitution - International influences of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legality of the Constitution, United States Constitution - General, United States Constitution - Related documents, United States Constitution - Related Authors

Read more here: » United States Constitution: Encyclopedia II - United States Constitution - Principles of government

The U.S. Constitution styles itself the "supreme law of the land." Courts have interpreted this phrase to mean that when laws (including state constitutions) that have been passed by state legislatures, or by the (national) U.S. Congress, are found to conflict with the federal constitution, these laws are ultra vires and have no effect. Decisions by the Supreme Court over the course of two centuries have repeatedly confirmed and strengthened the ...

See also:

United States Constitution, United States Constitution - History, United States Constitution - The Constitution, United States Constitution - Constitutional law, United States Constitution - Principles of government, United States Constitution - Preamble, United States Constitution - Articles of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legislative power, United States Constitution - Executive power, United States Constitution - Judicial power, United States Constitution - States' powers and limits, United States Constitution - Process of amendment, United States Constitution - Federal power, United States Constitution - Ratification, United States Constitution - Corrections, United States Constitution - Provisions for amendment, United States Constitution - Amendments, United States Constitution - The Bill of Rights 1–10, United States Constitution - Subsequent amendments 11–27, United States Constitution - Unratified Amendments, United States Constitution - Expired Amendments, United States Constitution - Proposals for amendments, United States Constitution - International influences on the development of the Constitution, United States Constitution - International influences of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legality of the Constitution, United States Constitution - General, United States Constitution - Related documents, United States Constitution - Related Authors

Read more here: » United States Constitution: Encyclopedia II - United States Constitution - The Constitution

During the Revolutionary War, the thirteen states first formed a very weak central government—with the Congress being its only component—under the Articles of Confederation. Congress lacked any power to impose taxes, and, because there was no national executive or judiciary, relied on state authorities (who were often uncooperative) to enforce all of its acts. It also had no authority to override tax laws and tariffs between states. The Articles required unanimous consent from all the states before they could be amended and states took t ...

See also:

United States Constitution, United States Constitution - History, United States Constitution - The Constitution, United States Constitution - Constitutional law, United States Constitution - Principles of government, United States Constitution - Preamble, United States Constitution - Articles of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legislative power, United States Constitution - Executive power, United States Constitution - Judicial power, United States Constitution - States' powers and limits, United States Constitution - Process of amendment, United States Constitution - Federal power, United States Constitution - Ratification, United States Constitution - Corrections, United States Constitution - Provisions for amendment, United States Constitution - Amendments, United States Constitution - The Bill of Rights 1–10, United States Constitution - Subsequent amendments 11–27, United States Constitution - Unratified Amendments, United States Constitution - Expired Amendments, United States Constitution - Proposals for amendments, United States Constitution - International influences on the development of the Constitution, United States Constitution - International influences of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legality of the Constitution, United States Constitution - General, United States Constitution - Related documents, United States Constitution - Related Authors

Read more here: » United States Constitution: Encyclopedia II - United States Constitution - History

The remainder of the constitution consists of seven articles. United States Constitution - Legislative power. Main article: Article One of the United States Constitution Article One establishes the legislative branch of government, U.S. Congress, which includes the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Article establishes the manner of election and qualifications of members of each House. In addition, it outlines legislative procedure and indicates the powers of the legislative bra ...

See also:

United States Constitution, United States Constitution - History, United States Constitution - The Constitution, United States Constitution - Constitutional law, United States Constitution - Principles of government, United States Constitution - Preamble, United States Constitution - Articles of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legislative power, United States Constitution - Executive power, United States Constitution - Judicial power, United States Constitution - States' powers and limits, United States Constitution - Process of amendment, United States Constitution - Federal power, United States Constitution - Ratification, United States Constitution - Corrections, United States Constitution - Provisions for amendment, United States Constitution - Amendments, United States Constitution - The Bill of Rights 1–10, United States Constitution - Subsequent amendments 11–27, United States Constitution - Unratified Amendments, United States Constitution - Expired Amendments, United States Constitution - Proposals for amendments, United States Constitution - International influences on the development of the Constitution, United States Constitution - International influences of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legality of the Constitution, United States Constitution - General, United States Constitution - Related documents, United States Constitution - Related Authors

Read more here: » United States Constitution: Encyclopedia II - United States Constitution - Articles of the Constitution

The authors of the Constitution were clearly aware that changes would be necessary from time to time if the Constitution was to endure and cope with the effects of the anticipated growth of the nation. However, they were also conscious that such change should not be easy, lest it permit ill-conceived and hastily passed amendments. Balancing this, they also wanted to ensure that an overly rigid requirement of unanimity would not block action desired by the vast majority of the population. Their solution w ...

See also:

United States Constitution, United States Constitution - History, United States Constitution - The Constitution, United States Constitution - Constitutional law, United States Constitution - Principles of government, United States Constitution - Preamble, United States Constitution - Articles of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legislative power, United States Constitution - Executive power, United States Constitution - Judicial power, United States Constitution - States' powers and limits, United States Constitution - Process of amendment, United States Constitution - Federal power, United States Constitution - Ratification, United States Constitution - Corrections, United States Constitution - Provisions for amendment, United States Constitution - Amendments, United States Constitution - The Bill of Rights 1–10, United States Constitution - Subsequent amendments 11–27, United States Constitution - Unratified Amendments, United States Constitution - Expired Amendments, United States Constitution - Proposals for amendments, United States Constitution - International influences on the development of the Constitution, United States Constitution - International influences of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legality of the Constitution, United States Constitution - General, United States Constitution - Related documents, United States Constitution - Related Authors

Read more here: » United States Constitution: Encyclopedia II - United States Constitution - Provisions for amendment

One historical controversy is whether the Constitution was illegally adopted. The Constitution was originally proposed by a convention which was convened for the express purpose of amending the Articles of Confederation. The Articles required ratification by the legislatures of all of the member states for amendments to take effect. Article Seven of the Constitution, however, only required ratification by conventions in nine states for that document to take effect. Scholars have traditionally resolved this contradiction by arguing tha ...

See also:

United States Constitution, United States Constitution - History, United States Constitution - The Constitution, United States Constitution - Constitutional law, United States Constitution - Principles of government, United States Constitution - Preamble, United States Constitution - Articles of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legislative power, United States Constitution - Executive power, United States Constitution - Judicial power, United States Constitution - States' powers and limits, United States Constitution - Process of amendment, United States Constitution - Federal power, United States Constitution - Ratification, United States Constitution - Corrections, United States Constitution - Provisions for amendment, United States Constitution - Amendments, United States Constitution - The Bill of Rights 1–10, United States Constitution - Subsequent amendments 11–27, United States Constitution - Unratified Amendments, United States Constitution - Expired Amendments, United States Constitution - Proposals for amendments, United States Constitution - International influences on the development of the Constitution, United States Constitution - International influences of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legality of the Constitution, United States Constitution - General, United States Constitution - Related documents, United States Constitution - Related Authors

Read more here: » United States Constitution: Encyclopedia II - United States Constitution - Legality of the Constitution

To a small degree, historians disagree on the specific international influences on the development of the Constitution, possibly due to the variety of sources. Many argue that several of the ideas embodied in the Constitution were new, and that a large number of ideas were drawn from Classical Antiquity and the British governmental tradition of mixed government, which was in practice among 12 of the 13 states. Many historians do not specifically consider other sources, but the ideas advocated by the writings of Charles de Secondat, Baron de ...

See also:

United States Constitution, United States Constitution - History, United States Constitution - The Constitution, United States Constitution - Constitutional law, United States Constitution - Principles of government, United States Constitution - Preamble, United States Constitution - Articles of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legislative power, United States Constitution - Executive power, United States Constitution - Judicial power, United States Constitution - States' powers and limits, United States Constitution - Process of amendment, United States Constitution - Federal power, United States Constitution - Ratification, United States Constitution - Corrections, United States Constitution - Provisions for amendment, United States Constitution - Amendments, United States Constitution - The Bill of Rights 1–10, United States Constitution - Subsequent amendments 11–27, United States Constitution - Unratified Amendments, United States Constitution - Expired Amendments, United States Constitution - Proposals for amendments, United States Constitution - International influences on the development of the Constitution, United States Constitution - International influences of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legality of the Constitution, United States Constitution - General, United States Constitution - Related documents, United States Constitution - Related Authors

Read more here: » United States Constitution: Encyclopedia II - United States Constitution - International influences on the development of the Constitution

The U.S. Constitution styles itself the "supreme law of the land." Courts have interpreted this phrase to mean that when laws (including state constitutions) that have been passed by state legislatures, or by the (national) U.S. Congress, are found to conflict with the federal constitution, these laws are ultra vires and have no effect. Decisions by the Supreme Court over the course of two centuries have repeatedly confirmed and strengthened the ...

See also:

United States Constitution, United States Constitution - History, United States Constitution - The Constitution, United States Constitution - Principles of government, United States Constitution - Preamble, United States Constitution - Articles of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legislative power, United States Constitution - Executive power, United States Constitution - Judicial power, United States Constitution - States' powers and limits, United States Constitution - Process of amendment, United States Constitution - Federal power, United States Constitution - Ratification, United States Constitution - Provisions for amendment, United States Constitution - Amendments, United States Constitution - The Bill of Rights 1–10, United States Constitution - Subsequent amendments 11–27, United States Constitution - Unratified Amendments, United States Constitution - Expired Amendments, United States Constitution - Proposals for amendments, United States Constitution - International influences on the development of the Constitution, United States Constitution - International influences of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legality of the Constitution, United States Constitution - General, United States Constitution - Related documents, United States Constitution - Related Authors

Read more here: » United States Constitution: Encyclopedia II - United States Constitution - The Constitution

The authors of the Constitution were clearly aware that changes would be necessary from time to time if the Constitution was to endure and cope with the effects of the anticipated growth of the nation. However, they were also conscious that such change should not be easy, lest it permit ill-conceived and hastily passed amendments. Balancing this, they also wanted to ensure that an overly rigid requirement of unanimity would not block action desired by the vast majority of the population. Their solution w ...

See also:

United States Constitution, United States Constitution - History, United States Constitution - The Constitution, United States Constitution - Principles of government, United States Constitution - Preamble, United States Constitution - Articles of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legislative power, United States Constitution - Executive power, United States Constitution - Judicial power, United States Constitution - States' powers and limits, United States Constitution - Process of amendment, United States Constitution - Federal power, United States Constitution - Ratification, United States Constitution - Provisions for amendment, United States Constitution - Amendments, United States Constitution - The Bill of Rights 1–10, United States Constitution - Subsequent amendments 11–27, United States Constitution - Unratified Amendments, United States Constitution - Expired Amendments, United States Constitution - Proposals for amendments, United States Constitution - International influences on the development of the Constitution, United States Constitution - International influences of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legality of the Constitution, United States Constitution - General, United States Constitution - Related documents, United States Constitution - Related Authors

Read more here: » United States Constitution: Encyclopedia II - United States Constitution - Provisions for amendment

Although the Constitution has been amended several times since it was first adopted, its basic principles remain the same now as in 1789. There are three branches of the national government—executive, legislative, and judicial—and they are separate and distinct from one another. The powers given to each are in theory balanced and checked by the powers of the other two. Each branch ideally serves as a check on potential excesses of the others. This is known as "separation of po ...

See also:

United States Constitution, United States Constitution - History, United States Constitution - The Constitution, United States Constitution - Principles of government, United States Constitution - Preamble, United States Constitution - Articles of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legislative power, United States Constitution - Executive power, United States Constitution - Judicial power, United States Constitution - States' powers and limits, United States Constitution - Process of amendment, United States Constitution - Federal power, United States Constitution - Ratification, United States Constitution - Provisions for amendment, United States Constitution - Amendments, United States Constitution - The Bill of Rights 1–10, United States Constitution - Subsequent amendments 11–27, United States Constitution - Unratified Amendments, United States Constitution - Expired Amendments, United States Constitution - Proposals for amendments, United States Constitution - International influences on the development of the Constitution, United States Constitution - International influences of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legality of the Constitution, United States Constitution - General, United States Constitution - Related documents, United States Constitution - Related Authors

Read more here: » United States Constitution: Encyclopedia II - United States Constitution - Principles of government

The remainder of the constitution consists of seven articles. United States Constitution - Legislative power. Article One establishes the legislative branch of government, U.S. Congress, which includes the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Article establishes the manner of election and qualifications of members of each House. In addition, it outlines legislative procedure and indicates the powers of the legislative branch. Finally, it establishes limits on federal and state legislative power. ...

See also:

United States Constitution, United States Constitution - History, United States Constitution - The Constitution, United States Constitution - Principles of government, United States Constitution - Preamble, United States Constitution - Articles of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legislative power, United States Constitution - Executive power, United States Constitution - Judicial power, United States Constitution - States' powers and limits, United States Constitution - Process of amendment, United States Constitution - Federal power, United States Constitution - Ratification, United States Constitution - Provisions for amendment, United States Constitution - Amendments, United States Constitution - The Bill of Rights 1–10, United States Constitution - Subsequent amendments 11–27, United States Constitution - Unratified Amendments, United States Constitution - Expired Amendments, United States Constitution - Proposals for amendments, United States Constitution - International influences on the development of the Constitution, United States Constitution - International influences of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legality of the Constitution, United States Constitution - General, United States Constitution - Related documents, United States Constitution - Related Authors

Read more here: » United States Constitution: Encyclopedia II - United States Constitution - Articles of the Constitution

One historical controversy is whether the Constitution was illegally adopted. The Constitution was originally proposed by a convention which was convened for the express purpose of amending the Articles of Confederation. The Articles required ratification by the legislatures of all of the member states for amendments to take effect. Article Seven of the Constitution, however, only required ratification by conventions in nine states for that document to take effect. Scholars have traditionally resolved this contradiction by arguing tha ...

See also:

United States Constitution, United States Constitution - History, United States Constitution - The Constitution, United States Constitution - Principles of government, United States Constitution - Preamble, United States Constitution - Articles of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legislative power, United States Constitution - Executive power, United States Constitution - Judicial power, United States Constitution - States' powers and limits, United States Constitution - Process of amendment, United States Constitution - Federal power, United States Constitution - Ratification, United States Constitution - Provisions for amendment, United States Constitution - Amendments, United States Constitution - The Bill of Rights 1–10, United States Constitution - Subsequent amendments 11–27, United States Constitution - Unratified Amendments, United States Constitution - Expired Amendments, United States Constitution - Proposals for amendments, United States Constitution - International influences on the development of the Constitution, United States Constitution - International influences of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legality of the Constitution, United States Constitution - General, United States Constitution - Related documents, United States Constitution - Related Authors

Read more here: » United States Constitution: Encyclopedia II - United States Constitution - Legality of the Constitution

To a small degree, historians disagree on the specific international influences on the development of the Constitution, possibly due to the variety of sources. Many argue that several of the ideas embodied in the Constitution were new, and that a large number of ideas were drawn from Classical Antiquity and the British governmental tradition of mixed government, which was in practice among 12 of the 13 states. Many historians do not specifically consider other sources, but the ideas advocated by the writings of Charles de Secondat, Baron de ...

See also:

United States Constitution, United States Constitution - History, United States Constitution - The Constitution, United States Constitution - Principles of government, United States Constitution - Preamble, United States Constitution - Articles of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legislative power, United States Constitution - Executive power, United States Constitution - Judicial power, United States Constitution - States' powers and limits, United States Constitution - Process of amendment, United States Constitution - Federal power, United States Constitution - Ratification, United States Constitution - Provisions for amendment, United States Constitution - Amendments, United States Constitution - The Bill of Rights 1–10, United States Constitution - Subsequent amendments 11–27, United States Constitution - Unratified Amendments, United States Constitution - Expired Amendments, United States Constitution - Proposals for amendments, United States Constitution - International influences on the development of the Constitution, United States Constitution - International influences of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legality of the Constitution, United States Constitution - General, United States Constitution - Related documents, United States Constitution - Related Authors

Read more here: » United States Constitution: Encyclopedia II - United States Constitution - International influences on the development of the Constitution

During the Revolutionary War, the thirteen states first formed a very weak central government—with the Congress being its only component—under the Articles of Confederation. Congress lacked any power to impose taxes, and, because there was no national executive or judiciary, relied on state authorities (who were often uncooperative) to enforce all of its acts. It also had no authority to override tax laws and tariffs between states. The Articles required unanimous consent from all the states before they could be amended and states took t ...

See also:

United States Constitution, United States Constitution - History, United States Constitution - The Constitution, United States Constitution - Principles of government, United States Constitution - Preamble, United States Constitution - Articles of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legislative power, United States Constitution - Executive power, United States Constitution - Judicial power, United States Constitution - States' powers and limits, United States Constitution - Process of amendment, United States Constitution - Federal power, United States Constitution - Ratification, United States Constitution - Provisions for amendment, United States Constitution - Amendments, United States Constitution - The Bill of Rights 1–10, United States Constitution - Subsequent amendments 11–27, United States Constitution - Unratified Amendments, United States Constitution - Expired Amendments, United States Constitution - Proposals for amendments, United States Constitution - International influences on the development of the Constitution, United States Constitution - International influences of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legality of the Constitution, United States Constitution - General, United States Constitution - Related documents, United States Constitution - Related Authors

Read more here: » United States Constitution: Encyclopedia II - United States Constitution - History

The Preamble reads: 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 neither grants any powers nor inhibits any actions; it only explains the rationale behind the Constitution. The preamble, especially the first three words ("We the people"), is one of the m ...

See also:

United States Constitution, United States Constitution - History, United States Constitution - The Constitution, United States Constitution - Principles of government, United States Constitution - Preamble, United States Constitution - Articles of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legislative power, United States Constitution - Executive power, United States Constitution - Judicial power, United States Constitution - States' powers and limits, United States Constitution - Process of amendment, United States Constitution - Federal power, United States Constitution - Ratification, United States Constitution - Provisions for amendment, United States Constitution - Amendments, United States Constitution - The Bill of Rights 1–10, United States Constitution - Subsequent amendments 11–27, United States Constitution - Unratified Amendments, United States Constitution - Expired Amendments, United States Constitution - Proposals for amendments, United States Constitution - International influences on the development of the Constitution, United States Constitution - International influences of the Constitution, United States Constitution - Legality of the Constitution, United States Constitution - General, United States Constitution - Related documents, United States Constitution - Related Authors

Read more here: » United States Constitution: Encyclopedia II - United States Constitution - Preamble

Kristofferson moved to Nashville after resigning his commission in 1965, intent on becoming a professional songwriter. He worked a variety of odd jobs while struggling to make it in the music business, burdened with expensive medical bills as a result of his son's defective esophagus. He and his wife soon divorced. In 1966, Dave Dudley released a successful Kristofferson single, "Viet Nam Blues". The following year, Kristofferson signed to Epic Records and released a single, "Golden Idol"/"Killing Time", but the song was not successful. With ...

See also:

Kris Kristofferson, Kris Kristofferson - Early life, Kris Kristofferson - Music career, Kris Kristofferson - Film career, Kris Kristofferson - Later career, Kris Kristofferson - Filmography

Read more here: » Kris Kristofferson: Encyclopedia II - Kris Kristofferson - Music career