The U.S. Constitution on a t-shirt!!!

Preamble -An Introduction (It’s only one sentence!) -Gives the purposes and goals of government (See next slide) -We, the people of the United States, in Order to from 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.

6 Purposes of Government Expressed in the Preamble (That we can understand!!) “To form a more perfect Union” Uniting the states together as a single nation “To establish Justice” All citizens will be treated equally “To insure domestic Tranquility” Maintaining peace/order and keeping citizens safe “To provide for the common defense” Military is always ready to protect the nation from attacks “To promote the general Welfare” Help people live healthy, happy, and prosperous lives “To secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity” All Americans (present and future) will be guaranteed basic rights

Article 1 – Legislative Branch - Describes the Congress and its powers (given all lawmaking authority) -Divides Congress into two Houses Senate and House of Representatives -Sets qualification and terms of members -Describes law making process -Specifically denies certain powers to Congress -Delegates certain powers to Congress Ex.: taxation, borrow money, regulate commerce, coin money, declare war, establish military, do anything “necessary and proper” These powers are known as implied powers!!

Article 2 -Describes the Executive Branch Led by the President and Vice President -Term and Qualifications -Electoral method described (later amended) -Lists Powers of President: (commander in chief, chief of state, etc.) -make treaties, appoint officials upon approval -Execute the laws of the United States (enforce laws created by Congress) -Impeachment process The leader of our country also used to lead his high school basketball team!!

Article 3 -Describes the Judicial Branch Branch of gov’t that interprets the laws and sees that they are fairly applied -Term and qualification of judges -Jurisdiction of Federal Courts -Right to Trial by Jury in Federal Cases -Crime of Treason is defined

Article 4 -Describes the relationship of states to one another and the central government -Full Faith and Credit clause describes the legal relationship between states States must respect legal judgments of other states -Extradition process described One state/nation surrendering a suspected or convicted criminal over to another state/nation -Addition of new states and territories -Guarantee of Federal protection from invaders

Article 5 -Describes the amendment process -sets up the two methods of proposing an amendment -2/3 vote of both houses of Congress -2/3 of state constitutional conventions -sets up the two methods of ratifying a new amendment -accepted by 3/4 of state legislatures -accepted by 3/4 of state constitutional conventions Only the 21 st amendment was ratified by constitutional conventions of the states!

Article 6 -Describes the supremacy of the Constitution and the national government -Statement that the Constitution is the Supreme Law of the nation (Supremacy Clause) Recognizes the Constitution and federal laws as supreme when in conflict with those of the states -requirement of an oath of office in all State and Federal positions to support the Constitution No religious test required as a qualification for any of these positions

Article 7 -Describes the process of ratification of this Constitution -Set up the approval method for the Constitution Constitution would take effect after it was ratified by nine of the thirteen states.