1. The Structure of our Constitution

2. Essential Question
Explain the content of each Article of the Constitution

3. The Structure of the Constitution
Preamble
Article I- Legislative Branch
Article II- Executive Branch
Article III- Judicial Branch
Article IV- Relationship between States
Article V- Amendment Process
Article VI- The Supremacy Clause
Article VII- Ratification

4. Vocabulary
Elastic clause- also know as the necessary and proper clause
writ of habeas corpus – Those accused of a crime must be brought before judge and told of the charges against them.
bills of attainder- laws that would punish someone without a trial
Ex-post facto laws- law that would punish someone for an action committed before it was illegal)
Extradition- when States must send accused people back to state where crime occurred
Impeachment- the formal accusation of wrongdoing

5. The Preamble
WE, the people of the United States, in order to… (PURPOSES)
Form a more perfect union
Establish justice
Ensure domestic tranquility
Provide for the Common Defense
Promote the General Welfare
Secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity
Do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

6. Article I: Legislative Branch
Sets up Congress (Bicameral)
House of Representatives (number of members per state determined by population) = 435 members
Senate (2 for every state) = 100 members
Lists powers of Congress
ENUMERATED POWERS
Collect taxes
Coin money
Regulate interstate trade/commerce
Raise an army
Declare war
Create post offices
ELASTIC CLAUSE (NECESSARY AND PROPER CLAUSE)
IMPLIED POWERS

7. Article I: Legislative Branch continued…
C. Lists powers denied to Congress
Cannot deny writ of habeas corpus (must be brought before judge and told of the charges against them.
Cannot pass bills of attainder (law that would punish someone without a trial)
Cannot pass ex post facto laws (law that would punish someone for an action committed before it was illegal)

8. Article II: Executive Branch
Qualifications for President
35 years old
Natural born citizen / live in US 14 years
Describes powers & duties of President
1. Commander in Chief (military)
2. Appoint individuals to federal jobs
3. Give State of the Union address
4. Carry out laws
Describes electoral college system
D. Describes impeachment (formal accusation of wrongdoing)

9. Article III: Judicial Branch
Names highest court in nation (Supreme Court)
Allows Congress to set up more federal courts as needed
Determines jurisdiction (which cases can be heard by Supreme Court)
Original jurisdiction = only cases involving ambassadors or state suing another state
Appeals – cases involving CONSTITUTIONAL issues

10. Article IV: Relationships Between States
Full Faith & Credit Clause -
States must respect laws, court decisions of other states
Requires extradition of accused criminals
States must send accused people back to state where crime occurred

11. Article V: Amendment Process
Change must be proposed by EITHER:
2/3 of Congress
-OR-
2/3 of all states
Change ratified by EITHER:
¾ state legislatures
¾ of state conventions

12. Article VI: Supremacy Clause
Constitution = Supreme Law
National government always above states in power

13. Article VII: Ratification Process
Required 9 out of 13 states for ratification (approval)
Was ratified only after Bill of Rights was promised to Anti-Federalists