The Constitution of the United States
The supreme law of the land. Drafted in 1787, this document established the framework of the U.S. government, creating the separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Download this essential primary source to understand the foundation of American democracy.
Download the Constitution: The Supreme Law of the Land
“We the People.” With these three words, the United States Constitution introduced a radical new idea: that a government derives its power solely from the consent of the governed.
At Political Jar, we believe every citizen should have immediate access to the rules that govern our nation. We are providing a free PDF download of the United States Constitution so you can read the articles that define the Presidency, the Congress, and the Courts.
A Framework for Freedom
Drafted during the sweltering summer of 1787 in Philadelphia, the Constitution was designed to fix the failures of the Articles of Confederation. The Framers—including Madison, Hamilton, and Washington—crafted a brilliant system of checks and balances.
By separating power into three distinct branches (Legislative, Executive, and Judicial), the Constitution ensures that no single entity can gain total control. It is a document designed to force compromise and prevent tyranny.
A Living Document
Unlike the static laws of monarchies, the U.S. Constitution was built to evolve. Through Article V, the Framers provided a mechanism for amendments, allowing the document to grow with the nation—expanding liberty to those originally excluded and refining the machinery of government over nearly 250 years.
Add the Constitution to Your Digital Library
Whether you are a student, a teacher, or a voter wanting to fact-check a politician, having the actual text of the Constitution on hand is invaluable.Download the PDF version today and read the blueprint that has held the United States together through wars, depressions, and unparalleled growth.
Related Products
The Monroe Doctrine (1823): America’s Declaration of Global Power
"America for Americans." Delivered by President James Monroe in 1823, this bold foreign policy statement warned European powers that the Western Hemisphere was closed to future colonization. It established the U.S. as the protector of the Americas. Download this foundational text to understand the origin of U.S. dominance in the region.
Articles of Confederation
America’s first constitution. Ratified in 1781, the Articles established a "firm league of friendship" among sovereign states. It created a intentionally weak central government lacking the power to tax or regulate trade. Download this primary source to understand the critical failures that led directly to the Constitutional Convention of 1787.
Bill of Rights and Senate Mark-up: The Evolution of Freedom
The shield of American liberty—and the draft that forged it. Download the final Bill of Rights alongside the rare Senate Mark-up (1789). See the actual handwritten edits where the Senate debated, condensed, and finalized the specific freedoms you possess today. A unique look at how Congress crafted the Constitution.
The Declaration of Independence (1776): The Birth Certificate of a Nation
The moral compass of the nation, this document famously declared that all men are created equal and endowed with unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."