The Structure of the U.S. Constitution

The Preamble An introduction to the document Explains why the Constitution was written Says the government’s power comes from the people States the purposes of government

Article I – Legislative Branch Establishes a bicameral legislature, which is responsible for making the nation’s laws Discusses the powers and limitations of Congress

Article I – Legislative Branch Powers Collect taxes Declare war Regulate trade Limitations Cannot tax exports

Article II – Executive Branch Responsible for carrying out or enforcing the laws Discusses the roles and powers of the president Commanding the armed forces Appointing certain government officials

Article III – Judicial Branch Calls for “one Supreme Court” Responsible for interpreting the laws Lists the powers of the federal courts and describes the kinds of cases they may hear

Article IV – Relations Among the States Explains the relationship of the states to one another and to the national government Says that all states must respect each other’s laws, court decisions, and records Guarantees the states will be protected by the national government

Article V – Amending the Constitution Explains how the Constitution can be changed Process involves proposal and ratification

Article VI – National Supremacy Says the U.S. Constitution and the laws passed by Congress are “the supreme law of the land” Federal laws over state laws

Article VII – Ratification Process Says the document would take effect when it was ratified by nine states

Amendments There are a total of 27 amendments The first ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights Added in 1791 These amendments protect individual freedoms