Constitution Resources

What Is The Interactive Constitution?

This nonpartisan tool has allowed learners of all ages to engage with the text of the Constitution, discover how experts agree and disagree about its history and meaning, and explore arguments on all sides of the constitutional debates at the center of American life.

Learn from more that 140 leading scholars of diverse legal and philosophical perspectives.

How It Works

We selected two scholars for each clause with guidance from the American Constitution Society and the Federalist Society—America’s leading legal organizations representing different perspectives on the Constitution. The Common Interpretation, signed by both scholars, is a joint statement of what they agree about the provision’s history and meaning. Matters of Debate represents each scholar’s individual views.

The Preamble
 

Article I: The Legislative Branch

Section 1: Congress

Section 2: The House of Representatives

Section 3: The Senate

Section 4: Elections

Section 5: Powers and Duties of Congress

Section 6: Rights and Disabilities of Members

Section 7: Legislative Process

Section 8: Powers of Congress
The Commerce Clause | The Taxing Clause | Declare War Clause
Necessary and Proper Clause | The Spending Clause

Section 9: Powers Denied Congress
Appropriations Clause | Direct and Indirect Taxes | Export and Port Preference Clauses | The Foreign Emoluments Clause | The Slave Trade Clause | The Suspension Clause

Section 10: Powers Denied to the States

Article II: The Executive Branch

Section 1
The Vesting Clause | The Electoral College

Section 2
Commander in Chief Clause | Treaty Power and Appointments

Section 3

Section 4

Article III: The Judicial Branch

Section 1

Section 2

Section 3

Article IV: States, Citizenship, New States

Article V: Amendment Process

Article VI: Debts, Supremacy, Oaths, Religious Tests

Article VII: Ratification

Bill of Rights

Passed by Congress September 25, 1789. Ratified December 15, 1791. The first 10 amendments form the Bill of Rights

First Amendment: Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition
The Establishment Clause
The Free Exercise Clause
Freedom of Speech and the Press
Right to Assemble and Petition

Second Amendment: Right To Bear Arms

Third Amendment: Quartering Of Soldiers

Fourth Amendment: Search And Seizure

Fifth Amendment: Grand Jury, Double Jeopardy, Self Incrimination, Due Process, Takings
Criminal Procedure Clauses
Due Process Clause
Takings Clause

Sixth Amendment: Right To Speedy Trial By Jury, Witnesses, Counsel

Seventh Amendment: Jury Trial In Civil Lawsuits

Eighth Amendment: Excessive Fines, Cruel And Unusual Punishment

Ninth Amendment: Non-Enumerated Rights Retained By People

10th Amendment: Rights Reserved To States Or People

Amendments After 1791

11th Amendment: Suits Against States (1795)

12th Amendment: Election of President and Vice President (1804)

13th Amendment: Abolition Of Slavery (1865)

14th Amendment: Citizenship Rights, Equal Protection, Apportionment, Civil War Debt (1868)
Citizenship Clause |  Due Process Clause | Equal Protection Clause
Enforcement Clause | Privileges or Immunities Clause

15th Amendment: Right To Vote Not Denied By Race (1870)

16th Amendment: Income Tax (1913)

17th Amendment: Popular Election Of Senators (1913)

18th Amendment: Prohibition Of Liquor (1919)

19th Amendment: Women’s Right To Vote (1920)

20th Amendment: Presidential Term And Succession, Assembly Of Congress (1933)

21st Amendment: Repeal Of Prohibition (1933)

22nd Amendment: Two-Term Limit On Presidency (1951)

23rd Amendment: Presidential Vote For D.C. (1961)

24th Amendment: Abolition Of Poll Taxes (1964)

25th Amendment: Presidential Disability And Succession (1967)

26th Amendment: Right To Vote At Age 18 (1971)

27th Amendment: Congressional Compensation (1992)

Constitution 101 Course

The Constitution 101 course provides learners of all ages with a basic understanding of the Constitution’s text, history, structure, and case law. 

Constitution 101 Curriculum: High School Level

Constitution 101 is a 15-unit asynchronous, semester-long curriculum that provides students with a basic understanding of the Constitution’s text, history, structure, and caselaw. 

Classroom Resources by Topic

Our instructional materials use the National Constitution Center’s Interactive Constitution to provide students with nonpartisan analysis from top constitutional scholars.

Classroom Resource Library

Our resources library has lesson plans, actvities, videos, and Constitution 101 resources for educators, students, and families.

Constitutional Conversations and Civil Dialogue

Learn about the Constitution’s text and to the skills necessary to engage in constitutional conversations. 

Walkthrough of the Constitution

Uncover everything you need to know about the Preamble to the Constitution and the seven articles of the Constitution.

Constitution 101: Methodologies

What is the difference between a political question and a Constitutional question? Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, explains the different methodologies of constitutional interpretation

Drafting Table

Explore key historical documents that inspired the Framers of the Constitution and each amendment during the drafting process, the early drafts and major proposals behind each provision, and discover how the drafters deliberated, agreed and disagreed, on the path to compromise and the final text.

Writing Rights

Writing Rights allows users to explore an important set of documents that shaped the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Included are Historical Sources, James Madison's original proposals, and the House and Senate's revisions and final language.