Printable Constitution And Amendments
Us Constitution And Amendments
The Bill of Rights and Constitutional Amendments This printable includes descriptions of the first 10 individual amendments to the U.S. Constitution, otherwise known as The Bill of Rights, as well as the constitutional amendments that have been added throughout U.S. History (Amendments 11-27).
Contents • • • • • • The Constitution of the United States established America’s national government and fundamental laws, and guaranteed certain basic rights for its citizens. It was signed on September 17, 1787, by delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Under America’s first governing document, the Articles of Confederation, the national government was weak and states operated like independent countries.
At the 1787 convention, delegates devised a plan for a stronger federal government with three branches—executive, legislative and judicial—along with a system of checks and balances to ensure no single branch would have too much power. The Bill of Rights were 10 amendments guaranteeing basic individual protections, such as freedom of speech and religion, that became part of the Constitution in 1791. To date, there are 27 constitutional amendments. Articles of Confederation. Did you know? George Washington was initially reluctant to attend the Constitutional Convention.
27 Amendments Simplified
Although he saw the need for a stronger national government, he was busy managing his estate at Mount Vernon, suffering from rheumatism and worried that the convention wouldn't be successful in achieving its goals. Soon after America won its independence from Great Britain with its 1783 victory in the, it became increasingly evident that the young republic needed a stronger central government in order to remain stable. In 1786,, a lawyer and politician from, called for a constitutional convention to discuss the matter. The Confederation Congress, which in February 1787 endorsed the idea, invited all 13 states to send delegates to a meeting in Philadelphia. Forming a More Perfect Union On May 25, 1787, the Constitutional Convention opened in Philadelphia at the State House, now known as Independence Hall, where the had been adopted 11 years earlier. There were 55 delegates in attendance, representing all 13 states except, which refused to send representatives because it did not want a powerful central government interfering in its economic business., who’d become a national hero after leading the Continental Army to victory during the American Revolution, was selected as president of the convention by unanimous vote.