Madelyn Kwak, Grade 6

2011-2012

Wisdom and Foresight

Could you have ever imagined that a 225-year-old document would still be an
authority today? The Constitution of the United States of America, written in 1787 by a
group of men known as the Framers, is such a document. Because the government
was not very strong soon following the separation from England, the Framers felt it was
imperative to write a document that addressed this. In their new government, and as
they remembered their life under King George, they wanted to avoid giving one person
or one group of people too much power so that they dont relive what they recently
experienced. The Constitution is a list of rules separated into seven articles. Three of
these articles tell about how the government is separated into three parts to avoid a
group getting too much power. Another article concentrates on states, and their rights
and responsibilities. The last 3 articles explain and represent the well-written document
itself.
The first three articles in the Constitution is about the three branches of
government. In Article I, the role of the legislative branch, which makes laws or
legislates, is described. This branch is made up of two houses of Congress: the House
of Representatives and the Senate. Article II describes the executive branch -- the
President and everyone who works for him. Basically, their job is to execute or carry out
laws. Article III deals with the third branch, the judicial branch, which consists of federal
courts that interpret and explain laws and the Constitution. Being the highest court in
the nation, the Supreme Court has the power to remove any laws, whether national or
state, that are contrary to the Constitution. Fear of another tyrant existed. Because the

Madelyn Kwak, Grade 6

2011-2012

Framers did not want just one man or one group to have the ultimate power, they
cleverly decided to divide power into three different branches of government.
In Article IV in the Constitution, states are addressed. When the drafting was in
progress, states, which had their own governments, were concerned that a strong
national government might change that. Their fears were quelled. This article
guarantees each state could continue to have its own government. Aside from that, it
demands that each state treat citizens from other states fairly - the same way they treat
their own citizens. It also provides a way for new states to join the union because the
United States was expanding. It promises all states protection against foreign hostility
or invasion. Additionally, this article it helps states understand the rights and obligations
of the union.
Finally, the last three articles of the Constitution are about the document itself
and how essential it is. According to Article V, the Constitution can be amended if it is
deemed necessary. When the Constitution was written, the Framers knew their creation
was not perfect, and that other people may also have good ideas for it. Keeping this in
mind, the Framers added an amendment process. However, in order to avoid too many
changes and to be sure that a change would be supported and imperative, making
changes to the Constitution is not an easy process. It is a lengthy process. Article VI
proclaims the Constitution to be the supreme law of the land. Article VII describes how
the Constitution was to be authorized and accepted. The final three articles show that
this document is and was very important to the government and to us.

Madelyn Kwak, Grade 6

2011-2012

The Constitution of the United States was and still remains a very important and
prominent document for our nation. In the seven articles that are in the Constitution, the
first three articles address the three branches that make up our government. The fourth
article addresses the individual states. Finally, the last three articles address the
document itself. The Constitution still remains the document our government turns to as
our countrys highest authority although it was ratified more than two hundred years ago
by the original thirteen colonies. It is remarkable that in the four short months that the
Framers diligently convened to draft the Constitution, they had enough wisdom and
foresight to come up with a document that would still be a respected and applicable
authority today.

Madelyn Kwak, Grade 6

2011-2012

Bibliography