Answer:
The principles of the United States Constitution are based on several fundamental ideas and concepts. These include:
Popular Sovereignty: The power and authority of the government come from the people, who elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
Republicanism: The country is a republic, where elected representatives carry out the will of the people and make decisions in their best interest.
Federalism: Power is divided between the federal government and state governments, allowing for a balance of authority and autonomy.
Separation of Powers: The government is divided into three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—each with distinct powers and responsibilities, ensuring a system of checks and balances.
Limited Government: The government's powers are explicitly defined and limited by the Constitution to protect individual rights and prevent abuse of authority.
Individual Rights: The Constitution safeguards certain fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals, such as freedom of speech, religion, and the right to due process and equal protection under the law.
The Constitution of the United States was ratified on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to approve it. However, the original Constitution did not include a specific bill of rights. Americans received their constitutional rights when the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution. The Bill of Rights, consisting of the first ten amendments, was proposed by Congress on September 25, 1789, and was ratified on December 15, 1791. It guaranteed important individual rights and freedoms and clarified limits on governmental power, ensuring the protection of citizens' liberties.