CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES

Constitution is the supreme law of the land - no law may be passed that contradicts its principles.

The Constitution is organized into three parts:

- Preamble, describes the purpose of the document and Government.

- Seven Articles, establishes how the Government is structured and how the Constitution can be changed.

- Amendments, lists changes to the Constitution; the first 10 are called the Bill of Rights.

The Founding Fathers established three main principles on which our Federal Government is based:

- Inherent rights for all Americans

- Self-government, or Government by the people

- Checks & Balances by Separation of powers