Can anybody help describe the American constitutions?

Question

Yeah, I am British and I have no clue about the Constitution.
I keep hearing it in some of my favourite American shows (Simpsons, family guy), and I haven't got a clue about it.
Things like the ammendments, Bill of Rights, that kind of stuff. If you could answer, I would be gratful.
Thankyou.

Answer 1

As us Americans have no idea of what the Magna Carta is.So, don't feel guilty about it.

Try this web site,

Answer 2

Most of the US Constitution establishes the parameters by with the American government was set up, and to a lesser degree, the rules by which it operates today.

Most constitutional issues arise from the various Amendments that have been added since it's ratification.

The first ten amendements are commonly refered to as the Bill of Rights. They were suggested in order to permanantly guarantee American citizens certain rights, such as the right to free speach, to bear arms and so forth. Many of these rights were based on rights that Americans had under British colonial rule, some were not.

Amendments cover a broad range of topics, from citizenship, naturalization and suffrage, to prohibition of alcohol. An amendment is simply a change to the constitution and can be almost anything at all.

In the United States, the Constitution is the highest law. No state or federal law, or judicial decision can contradict it. American courts can immediately strike down an existing law by decalring it unconstitutional. This was first done in the Supreme Court's decision in the case of Marlberry vs. Madison and remains an important, but sometimes controversial role of the US court system today.

Today the constitution is on permanant display at the National Archive in Washington DC along side the Declaration of Independance and a copy of the Magna Carta, which is generally considered to be the basis for the Constitution.

The below link is the US National Archive's site containing a complete copy of the US Constitution. Hope this has been helpful. :)

Answer 3

To understand the Constitution of the US (which few Americans actually do) one has to know what the nature of it is, the broad purpose. To do this, go back to the Declaration of Independence.

The Declaration of Independence was signed by/on behalf of some of the former colonies (the Canadian ones declined to rebel), and the effect of this rebellion left each colony as a sovereign state, without obligation to any other.

For their mutual self-preservation, they chose to form an over-arching federal government, by mutual agreement of the individual states. The Constitution is the document that creates that unified governement (replacing the Articles of Confederation).

It resembles in purpose a charter of a corporation more than anything else. It creates the federal entity, and confers upon it power to fulfil certain obligations, and sets the structure for that entity. It limits what tasks it can perform, and leaves the states supreme in any area where no power has been granted. It contains not one single obligation for any citizen, and the only restriction on activities of citizens is the age limits for certain federal offices.

Basically, the Constitution is a partnership agreement, and the individual states are the partners.

Answer 4

When read in its entirety and the Billof rights, it means different things to different people. I would recommend reading the declaration of Independance as well. (No kidding) I know you are british but if your read these documents in the order they came out, I think you will have a much better understanding of what the builders of America had in mind. And when you have finished then look at what greed, lust for power and utter stupidity have done with their great work. Then you will most likely understand what direction this Great Nation is heading and what it will take to get her righted again. I will can say with complete confidence you will not find the path with the current crop of Liberal Presidential contenders. Also just as unfortunate, there isn't much to look forward to in the conservative camp.
Another great read is the Gettysburg address by Abraham Lincoln.

Addition.. Senatorfl .. I know what the magna carta is..
I have a relative that signed it.

Answer 5

The Constitution was written to address many issues regarding our freedom but here are the basic ones Freedom for everyone to own private property and not have it taken away by monetary manipulation, unfair taxes or military force freedom from religious persecution and church/state laws and property seizures and government protection of the right to worship as you please.

We are expected to maintain a private militia to protect against government and church/state seizures and ensure that private citizens always have more power and authority than the government.

The government is obligated to protect our property rights and our borders and obligated to stay out of our personal lives except where absolutely necessary to protect us from foreign and internal enemies.

Thomas Jefferson said is best when he stated that "the threat we faced from a Central bank was greater than any standing army" which sums up the point behind the Constitution in a sentence.

In the early part of our country we had Federalists who wanted a big government, high tax, monarchy with unarmed citizens and a central bank to control the unwashed and untrusted and uneducated masses.

Now we have have nots wanting to tear up the Constitution, lay down their arms take ours away, take away our religious rights, do away with the rule of law and punishment. And unrealistically expect some benevolent dictator will dedicate their whole life to serving their needs.

We have been though this before we use the framework of the rule of law and a fair and level playing field or we succumb to mob rule and a handful of the ruling class takes over. In the Soviet Union the peasant class used a centralized government to kill off or imprison most of the intelligent resourceful people

The Constitution is a Framework for diplomatic resolutions between classes by Representative Republic as opposed to elite or feudal rule and direct democracy or mob rule which always ends up in civil war and poverty.

Answer 6

Constitution isn't plural. If you mean the USA constitution then you can find it, in all it's glory on the Internet.
One of the most important statements is that all men are born equal.
This seems to cover the bill of rights and most of the amendments.

Except that more and more it seems that the interpretation of this statement is 'all men are born equal, but some are born more equal than others'

And if anyone wants to arraign me, I'll take the 5th.

Answer 7

Three people understand it. One is dead,one is mad and the other one has forgotten.