1. The Structure of the Constitution
The Constitution Unit 2
Lessons 2

2. The Preamble
Preamble: the opening section of the Constitution tells why it was written
Makes clear that power comes from the people and that the govt. exists to serve the people
Middle part of the Preamble states six purposes of the government; meaning?

3. The Articles
The seven articles of the Constitution explain how the govt. will work
Article I: The Legislative Branch
Article II: The Executive Branch
Article III: The Judicial Branch
Article IV: Rules for States
Article V: Amendment Process
Article VI: “supreme law of the land”
Article VII: How the Constitution would be ratified
A copy of the Constitution at the National Archives

4. Article I: The Legislative Branch
The framers of the Constitution intended for the legislature to take the leading role in govt.
Congress is made up of two houses, the House of Representatives and the Senate
Congress has all lawmaking authority
Congress may collect taxes, regulate trade, coin money, and declare war
Congress

5. Article II: The Executive Branch
Executive Branch is headed by a president and vice president
Among the jobs of the President are commanding the armed forces, dealing with other world leaders, appointing govt. officials, and trying to lobby members of Congress to support his agenda
According to the Constitution, the Vice President serves as President of the Senate

6. Article III: The Judicial Branch
The Judicial Branch is the part of govt. that interprets laws and sees that they are fairly applied
Article III calls for one Supreme Court, does not say how many justices there should be
Congress can create other lower courts
Federal courts deal with cases involving the Constitution, federal laws and treaties, and disputes between the states
Current Supreme Court

7. Article IV: Rules for the States
Article IV says that all states must respect each other’s laws, court decisions, and records; meaning?
Also explains the process of creating new states