1. The Structure and Principles
of the U.S. Constitution
Chapter 3
Sections 3 and 4

2. A. America’s written plan for Government.
I. The U.S. Constitution
A. America’s written plan for Government.
B. The United States Constitution is the law
that governs the United States.

3. II. The 3 main parts of the U.S. Constitution
Preamble – An introduction
Seven Articles – Explain certain topics and jobs of government
Amendments – Changes that have been made to the Constitution.

4. III. Seven Articles of the Constitution
A. Article I : The Legislative Branch
It explains the powers and organization of Congress.
B. Article II : The Executive Branch
It explains the powers and duties of the President.
C. Article III : The Judicial Branch
It explains the jobs and powers of the Judicial Branch. It also explains the way judges will be chosen.
D. Article IV : The States
It outlines the rights of the states and the role that they will play in the national government.

5. It explains the way changes can be made to the Constitution.
III. Seven Articles of the Constitution
E. Article V : Amendment Process
It explains the way changes can be made to the Constitution.
F. Article VI : “The Supreme Law of the Land”
It explains that the Constitution is the highest law in the United States. No other laws can be recognized as more important than the it.
G. Article VII : Ratification
It explains the way that the Constitution will be approved by the states.

6. IV. Principles in the Constitution that Limit the Government’s Power
Consent of the Governed – The government is limited by what people give it the power to do.
Rule of Law – No citizen is above the law.
Separation of Powers – It limits the government by dividing it into three branches.
Checks and Balances – Each branch of government has ways to limit the power of the other branches. This keeps any one branch from abusing power.
Federalism– Limits the government by dividing it between state and national government

7. V. Types of Power in the Constitution
Enumerated Powers – Power given only to the federal government.
Reserved Powers – Powers given only to the state governments.
Concurrent Powers - Powers that are shared by the state and the national governments.

8. Necessary and Proper Clause
Article 1 Section 8 Clause 18 is know as the Necessary and Proper Clause.
It gives Congress Implied Powers which allows them to take actions ouside their expressed powers in order to do their job well.

9. VI. The Preamble of the U.S. Constitution
A. We the People of the United States, in order to form 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.

10. VII. Breakdown of the Preamble
“To form a more perfect Union” – The states needed a better government than the Articles of Confederation.
“To establish justice” – It created a court system to help settle disputes fairly.
“To insure domestic tranquility” – government tries to maintain order and keep the nation peaceful.

11. VII. Breakdown of the Preamble
“To provide for the Common Defense” – The government wants to protect the citizens from attacks by other countries.
“To promote the General Welfare” – The government tries to make the lives of all Americans better.
“To secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity” – The government guarantees freedom to all Americans and future Americans.