Before the Constitution

The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of America.  The nation struggle under this sytem because it could not print money.  Congress could borrow money but could not pay it back because any money it printed was worthless.  In addition, the nation could not defend itself from an invading nation.  There was no national militia that could protect the citizens.  Government officials recognized that a better system of government was needed, and so they met in Philedelphia to debate the merits of different ways of managing government.

The Basics

The Constitution was adopted on September 17, 1787 by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

The Constitution has been amended 27 times.  The first 10 amendments are referred to as the Bill of Rights.

The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land.

The Constitution is the framework for the organization of the government and the people of America.

The first three Articles of the Constitution establish the three branches of the national government:  The legislature, executive branch, and judicial branch