The Constitution

The Constitution is a basic plan for the way the United States of America is to be run. It is not a simple sort of plan that can be changed anytime someone feels like it, but it is meant to last for a very long time. Any changes that are made have to go through a very lengthy, specific process.

The Constitution established three equal branches of government, each with its own job. One branch is called the Congress or legislative branch. Congress makes the laws. Congress has two sections, or houses--the Senate and the House of Representatives. The second branch of government is run by the president and other officials who make sure that the laws are carried out. The president is also the head of all the military forces, but doesn’t have the power on his or her own to declare war. The president is the head of what is called the executive branch. The third branch of government is run by the Supreme Court, or judicial branch, which helps to explain the meaning of all the federal laws and make sure they are enforced properly.