1. Preamble
-An Introduction
-Gives the purposes and goals of government
-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.

2. Article 1
-Describes the Congress and its powers
-Divides Congress into two Houses
-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”

3. Article 2
-Describes the Executive Branch
-Term and Qualifications
-Electoral method described (later amended)
-commander in chief
-make treaties, appoint officials upon approval
-Execute the laws of the United States
-Impeachment process

4. Article 3
-Describes the Judicial Branch
-Term and qualification of judges
-Jurisdiction of Federal Courts
-Right to Trial by Jury in Federal Cases
-Crime of Treason is defined

5. 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
-Extradition process described
-Addition of new states and territories
-Guarantee of Federal protection from invaders

6. Article 5
-Describes the amendment process
-sets up the two methods of proposing an amendment
1.Proposed by 2/3 of Congress
2. Proposed by Convention
-never used
-sets up the two methods of ratifying a new amendment
1.3/4 State Convention (1x)
2. 3/4 State Legislature

7. 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)
-requirement of an oath of office in all State and Federal positions to support the Constitution

8. Article 7
-Describes the process of ratification of this Constitution
-Set up the approval method for the Constitution