The Constitution written in 1787 is the main law in the United States. Every law established in this country must agree with it. The document contains about 7000 words and can be read aloud in about 40 minutes!

The 52-word Preamble helps in the interpretation of the Constitution. It explains why these rules were written.

" We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

The Constitution explains how our US Government is to be run. It says that it should have three branches; the Legislative, the Executive and the Judicial. Each branch has its own set of responsibilities. The Legislature MAKES THE LAWS, the Executive ENFORCES THE LAWS and the Judicial EXPLAINS AND APPLIES THE LAWS.

James Madison was considered "The Father of the Constitution". He realized that one branch could not have complete control. Mr. Madison said, "The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elected, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny."

Therefore, the Constitution establishes a system of checks and balances to maintain balance within the US Government!