1. The Structure of the Constitution

2. The Constitution and Its Parts
The main purpose of the Constitution is to provide a framework for government.
The Constitution is also the highest authority in the nation.

3. The Constitution and Its Parts
The powers of all branches come from the Constitution.
The Constitution has three main parts: the Preamble, seven articles, and amendments.

4. The Constitution and Its Parts
The Preamble states the goals and purposes of government.
The first part makes clear that government gets its power from the people and exists to serve them.

5. The Constitution and Its Parts
The Preamble states six purposes:
“To form a more perfect Union”
“To establish Justice”
“To insure domestic Tranquility”
“To provide for the common defense”
“To promote the general Welfare”
“To secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity”

6. The Constitution and Its Parts
The articles explain how government is to work.
The first three articles describe the powers and responsibilities of the three branches of government:
Article I describes the legislative branch as two house legislature that makes the laws.
This article also lists specific powers Congress does and does not have.

7. The Constitution and Its Parts
Article II describes the executive branch, headed by the president and vice president. This branch enforces the law.
Article II also explains how these leaders will be elected and that they can be removed.
It also describes their powers and duties.

8. The Constitution and Its Parts
Article III establishes the judicial branch to interpret and apply the laws.
It calls for one Supreme Court plus lower courts and describes the powers of federal courts.
Article IV says that all states must respect one another’s laws and explains the process of creating new states.

9. The Constitution and Its Parts
Article V specifies how the Constitution can be amended.
Article VI declares that the Constitution is the “supreme Law of the Land” and federal law prevails over state law.
Article VII states that the Constitution would take effect when nine states ratify it.

10. Amending the Constitution
An amendment is any change in the Constitution.
The first 10 amendments are the Bill of Rights
The Sixteenth Amendment allows Congress to collect an income tax-a tax on people’s earnings.

11. Amending the Constitution
The Framers made sure that the Constitution could not be altered without overwhelming support of the people.
Only 27 amendments have become law.
The amendment process involves two steps: proposal and ratification.

12. Amending the Constitution
An amendment may be proposed by a vote of 2/3rds of both houses of Congress or by a national convention requested by 2/3rds of the state legislatures.
Once proposed, an amendment must be ratified by 3/4ths of the states.
The states can do this by a vote of either the state legislature or a special state convention.