U.S. Constitution

Nickname:

Bundle of Compromises

Chief Draftsmen of the U.S. Constitution:

James Madison and Gouverneur Morris

Ratification of the U.S. Constitution:

1789 with the agreement of 9 out of 13 states. Eventually all 13 would ratify the US Constitution.

Overall Structure of the U.S. Constitution:

7 Articles followed by 27 amendments. The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights.

Key Principles of the U.S. Constitution:

Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, and Federalism

Ways to Amend the U.S. Constitution:

To propose an amendment 1. 2/3 of both houses of Congress vote to propose and amendment or 2. 2/3 of the state legislatures ask Congress to call a national convention

To ratify an amendment 1. 3/4 of the state legislatures approve it. 2. 3/4 of ratifying conventions in states approve it.

Interesting Facts about the U.S. Constitution :

Only 12 of the 13 original states actually took part in writing the US Constitution. Rhode Island did not attend the Constitutional Convention though they eventually were the last state to ratify the document in 1790.