The U.S. Constitution comprises the primary law of the U.S. Federal Government. It describes the three chief branches of the Federal Government and their jurisdictions, and lays out the basic rights of citizens of the United States.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

AMENDMENT 2

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

AMENDMENT 3

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

AMENDMENT 4

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

AMENDMENT 5

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury.

AMENDMENT 6

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed.

AMENDMENT 7

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury.

AMENDMENT 8

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

AMENDMENT 9

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

AMENDMENT 10

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Amendment 11

Suits Against States: The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in low or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.  

Amendment 12 

Election of president and vice president: And if the house of representatives shall not choose a president whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of march next following, then the vice president shall act as president, as in case of the death or other constitutional disability of the president.  

Amendment 13 

Abolition of slavery: Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for a crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.  

Amendment 14 

Citizenship rights, equal protection, apportionment, civil war debt:  All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.  No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.  

Amendment 15 

Right to vote not denied by race: The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.  

Amendment 16

Permits Congress to levy an income tax without apportioning it among the various states or basing it on the United States Census.

Amendment 17

Establishes the direct election of United States senators by popular vote.

Amendment 18

Prohibited the manufacturing or sale of alcohol within the United States.

Amendment 19

Prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on sex.

Amendment 20

The terms of the President and the Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.

Amendment 21

The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or Possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited. 

Amendment 22

No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President,when this Article was proposed by Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this 

Amendment 23

The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as Congress may direct.

Amendment 24 

The United States or any State shall not deny or limit the right of citizens to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President,  or for Senator or Representative in Congress, on the basis of their failure to pay a poll tax or any other tax. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Amendment 25

In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President. 

In the event of a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall propose a nominee for Vice President, who will assume the role upon receiving confirmation by a majority vote from both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Amendment 26 

The United States or any State shall not deny or restrict the right of citizens of the United States, aged eighteen years or older, to vote based on their age.

Admendment 27

 No law that changes the payment for the services of Senators and Representatives shall be enforced until after an election of Representatives has taken place. 

This is a government in which the people rule. The people can elect members to Congress and can choose the president. The idea of “popular sovereignty” is found in the Preamble of the Constitution.

Republicanism

The word “republicanism” means a representative government where citizens can vote for people who share their opinions and views. Republicanism means the power rests with citizens who can and do vote. Then, elected representatives use their power to make laws. Article IV, Section 4 of the Constitution states "The United States shall guarantee... Republican Form of Government…"The word “republicanism” should not be confused with the Republican political party.

Federalism

The word “federalism” means that the state governments are under a central government. The government of the United States is called a federal government (a national government). The national government and the state governments share power. Prior to the ratification of the Constitution, every one of the thirteen original states had its own Constitution. The Tenth Amendment set the guidelines for federalism in the United States.
Article IV establishes the relationship between the states and the federal government.

Separation of powers

In the U.S. Constitution, there are three branches of government that make, enforce, and interpret laws. Under the separation of powers, each branch of government has a unique function. The legislative branch makes the laws and has the power to pass, change, and repeal laws. Article I of the Constitution establishes the legislative branch (the House of Representatives and the Senate).

The executive branch carries out the laws and is responsible for running the government day to day. Article II establishes the executive branch, that is headed by the president. The judicial branch interprets the laws and settles arguments. Article III establishes the judicial branch (a system of courts and judges).

 Balance of Power

Each of the three branches has the power to check or control the powers of the other branches.Under the separation of powers, each branch of government has a specific function. This way, no one branch of the government can be too powerful.

Limited government

The Declaration of Independence says that governments get "their just powers from the consent of the governed," meaning that the people elect their representatives and that everyone is bound by the "supreme law of the land." This means that no one, not even the president, is above the law.

Individual rights

The personal freedoms of the people are guaranteed by the Bill of Rights and cannot be taken away by the central government.