Constitution of the United States: Organization of the Constitution

The Constitution is divided into seven articles on different topics.  Each article is further divided into sections.

• Article I deals with the legislative branch of government
• Article II concerns the executive branch of government
• Article III establishes the Supreme Court as the highest judicial power in the United States
• Article IV defines the relationship between the states
• Article V describes the procedure for amending the Constitution
• Article VI declares itself, the Constitution, as "the supreme Law of the Land"
• Artice VII ratifies the Constitution

The Preamble explains the purposes of the Constitution, and defines the powers of the new government as originating from the people of the United States:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, 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.

There have been 27 amendments to the Constitution:

• The Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments, guarantee fundamental rights of individuals, including freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, speedy jury trial in criminal cases, protection against excessive bail, and cruel and unusual punishment.
• Amendments 11 through 27 address issues relating to lawsuits brought against states, the electoral vote, prohibition of slavery, equal protection, voting rights, creation of the federal income tax, popular election, prohibition (and its repeal), and term limits. 

View some of the original documents: