23.1 The United States Constitution

The United States Constitution, written in 1787 and ratified in 1788, serves as the supreme law of the land. It was created to establish a national government that balanced the need for a strong central authority with the protection of individual freedoms. The Constitution lays the groundwork for how our federal government operates and sets the standard for laws in the United States. Its importance cannot be overstated, as it influences every aspect of American life, including the governance of states like Ohio.

Structure and Key Principles

The Constitution is divided into several key parts:

1. The Preamble – This is the introduction that outlines the purpose of the Constitution— to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty.

1. The Articles – There are seven articles in the Constitution, each covering a different aspect of how the government is structured and operates:

• Article I establishes the legislative branch (Congress) and its powers.

• Article II sets up the executive branch, headed by the President.

• Article III creates the judicial branch, including the Supreme Court.

• Article IV deals with states’ powers and limits, and the relationship between the states and the federal government.

• Article V explains how the Constitution can be amended.

• Article VI contains the supremacy clause, which establishes that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land.

• Article VII outlines the process for ratifying the Constitution.

1. The Amendments – The Constitution has 27 amendments. The first ten, known as the Bill of Rights, were added to protect individual freedoms and limit the government’s power. These amendments cover fundamental rights like freedom of speech, religion, and the press, as well as the rights to due process and a fair trial.

Understanding these parts of the Constitution is useful because they influence how state and local governments are organized and how they function. For example, the separation of powers established in the Constitution is mirrored in Ohio’s government, with similar branches and checks and balances.

The U.S. Constitutions’ Impact on State and Local Government

The U.S. Constitution not only governs the federal government but also significantly impacts state and local governments. Here’s how:

• Federalism – The Constitution sets up a system of federalism, where power is shared between the national government and the states. This means Ohio has its own constitution and laws, but they must align with the principles of the U.S. Constitution. For instance, while Ohio can create its own laws on education or public safety, those laws cannot violate federal constitutional rights.

• The Bill of Rights – The protections in the Bill of Rights apply to both the federal government and state governments. This means that individual freedoms like free speech and the right to a fair trial must be respected by both state and local governments in Ohio.

• Separation of Powers – Just as the federal government is divided into three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—Ohio’s state government follows the same model. This structure ensures that no single branch becomes too powerful and that citizens have multiple avenues to influence government decisions.

For more details on how the U.S. Constitution influences state and local governance, you’re encouraged to review the document yourself. Familiarizing yourself with it will help you better understand how the rules of our democracy apply to you.