How is the
Constitution
structured?
Lesson 14 Objectives
You will be able to identify and analyze
the U.S. Constitution’s structure.
The Constitution
Facts and Characteristics
provides a framework for the U.S. government
is the basic law of the U.S.
is the highest authority in the U.S. – “supreme
law of the land”
all branches of government get its power from
it
it is a symbol of our nation
it represents our system of government
it represents our basic beliefs and ideals such
as freedom and liberty
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Framework of the
Constitution
The Constitution consists of three
main parts.
Preamble – the introduction of the
Constitution
The Articles – explains how are
government works
Amendments – changes to the
Constitution
Part 1 - Preamble
It tells why the Constitution was written.
It is a single sentence that provides six
purposes of our government.
1. “to form a more perfect union”
2. “to establish justice”
3. “to insure domestic tranquility”
4. “to provide for the common defense”
5. “to promote the general welfare”
6. “to secure the blessings of liberty to
ourselves and our posterity”
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Part 2 – The Articles
There are 7 articles that explain how the
government is to work.
Article I – The Legislative Branch
Congress is made up of two houses – Senate
and the House of Representatives- and
describes how members of each house will be
chosen and what rules they must follow in
making laws. It also lists specific powers that
Congress does and does not have.
Article 2
Article 2: The Executive Branch
calls for a law-enforcing branch of
government headed by a president and
vice president. It explains how these
leaders are to be elected and how they
can be removed from office and describes
some of the president’s powers and
duties.
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Article 3
Article 3: The Judicial Branch
interprets the laws and sees that they
are fairly applied. It calls for “one
supreme court” and lower courts and
Congress deems appropriate. It lists the
powers of the federal courts and
describes the kinds of cases they may
hear.
Articles 4-5
Article 4: says that all states must
respect each other’s laws, court
decisions, and records. It also
explains the process for creating new
states and promises that the federal
government will protect and defend
the states.
Article 5: Specified how amendments
are to be made.
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Articles 6-7
Article 6: Contains “Supreme Law of
the Land” and adds that if state laws
or court decisions conflict with federal
law, the federal law shall prevail.
Article 7: Constitution would take
effect when nine states had ratified it.
Amending the
Constitution
Since the Constitution was signed in 1787, it
has been amended 27 times!!!
The first 10 amendments are called the Bill of
Rights.
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Proposal and Ratification
First method is by congressional action. A vote
of 2/3rd of the members of both houses of
Congress is required.
Second method is by a national convention
requested by 2/3rd of the state legislatures.
Once an amendment has been proposed, 3/4th
of the states must ratify it. The states have 2
ways to do this: by a vote of either the state
legislature or a special state convention.
The 21st Amendment is the only one ratified by
means of state conventions.
SEE CHART ON PG 85
The Necessary and
Proper Clause
Article I Section 8 Clause 18
AKA “Elastic Clause”
Allows Congress to exercise powers that are
not specifically listed in the Constitution.
These powers are known as “implied
powers”!!!
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Interpretation
through Court
Decisions!!
The Supreme Court has the final authority
on interpreting the Constitution.
Interpretation Through
Congressional and
Presidential Actions!!!
The Constitution allows the House of
Representatives to impeach, or accuse,
federal officials, while the Senate
determines the person’s guilt or
innocence.
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Review Questions
1. What is the purpose of the Preamble to the
U.S. Constitution?
2. In what two ways can an amendment to the
U.S. Constitution be ratified? How are the
states involved in these processes?
3. Which part of the Constitution do you think is
most important? Why?
4. In table form, outline the structure of the
Constitution and provide brief details about
each part.
5. Give three examples of how the Constitution
and the Articles of Confederation differ?
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