2. Preamble The Preamble states the purpose of the Constitution

3. Article I Defines the powers and structures of the Legislative Branch( Congress)

4. Article II Creates the Executive Branch of government ( US President)

5. Article III Establishes the Judicial Branch of the government (Supreme Court)

6. Article IV Outlines the obligations of the states to each other (Full Faith and Credit Clause) How states are admitted Citizens of other states have the same rights as its own citizens Guarantees that the national government with protect states

7. Article V Describes the process by which the Constitution may be altered(changed). (Amendment Process)

8. Article VI Establishes that the US Constitution is the “Supreme Law of the Land” Federal law is supreme when in conflict with states

9. Article VII Ratification of the US Constitution 9 of the 13 states must ratify for it to take effect

10. Popular Sovereignty The idea that the authority of the government comes from the people( people rule)

11. Legislative Branch Makes the laws

12. Executive Branch Executes (carries out) the laws

13. Judicial Branch Interprets the laws( what does a law mean)

14. Judicial Review The right of the Supreme Court to declare a law unconstitutional

15. Checks and Balances System that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches

16. Interstate Commerce Trade and other business dealings that cross state lines

17. Federalism Constitutional system that shares power between the national and state governments

18. Majority Rule When the law is passed by the most number of votes

19. Interest Group An organization that actively promotes the views of some part of the public on specific issues