The United
States
Constitution
The Constitution has 3 Parts: Know
them well
• The Preamble (Introduction/Purpose
of Government)
• The 7 Articles (LEJSASR)
• The 27 Amendments (so far)
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.
Know all six parts!
Preamble in English
• We, the People of the United States, in Order
• To form a more perfect Union: unite states as one
nation
• To establish Justice: treat all citizens equally under the
law
• To ensure domestic Tranquility: maintain peace &
order, protect property
• To provide for the common Defense: use military for
protecting country
• To promote the general Welfare: happy health,
prosperous
• To secure our Blessings and Liberty to ourselves and
our Posterity: freedom now and forever (Karate Kid)
List 3 reasons that the people of the
United States wrote the Constitution.
1.
2.
3.
To set up a stronger national government
To ensure peace and justice among the people
To make sure that U.S. citizens will have
guaranteed liberties (bill of rights)
The 7 Articles of
The US
Constitution
LEJSASR
Article I (L)
• Article I describes the Legislative Branch of
Government.
• They make the laws!
• Lists powers Congress has and does not have.
• Bicameral Congress (2 Houses)
– Senate and House of Representatives
Article II (E)
• Article II describes the Executive Branch
of government.
• They Enforce the laws!
• It is headed by the President and Vice
President.
• There is a cabinet that helps advise the
President
Article III (J)
• Article III describes the Judicial Branch of
government.
• This branch interprets the laws.
• It establishes a Supreme Court and the
powers of Federal Courts.
Article IV
Article IV (S)
• Article IV says that all STATES must respect
one another’s laws. This is known as the Full
Faith and Credit Clause
• Remember, 10th Amendment allows for
states to create governments, create laws
(state and local) and allows for states to
enforce those laws
• It also describes how new states will be
added to the United States. Remember, the
Northwest Ordinance form the Articles of
Confederation
Article V (A)
• Article V specifies how the U.S. Constitution can be
AMENDED, or changed.
• First Method to change: 2/3rds of both houses can
agree on proposing the law with 3/4ths of both houses
agreeing to ratify new amendment
• Second Method: Constitutional Convention, least used
in history, can be called to amend the constitution
• So far, the Constitution has had 27 Amendments.
Article VI (S)
• Article VI declares the U.S. Constitution is
the “Supreme Law of the Land.”
• In other words, if state and national law
conflict, the national law always wins!
• Remember:
• McCulloch v Maryland 1819
• Gibbons v Ogden 1824
Article VII
• Article VII states that the Constitution
would take effect when 9 out of the 13
states approve it.
• North Carolina was the 12th out of 13 to
say “Yes”.
• Rhode Island was last (13)
The 27 Amendments
• You already know the Bill of Rights
• (the 1st 10 Amendments!)
• Remember, the amendments show flexibility in
our Constitution and how we interpret the
document over time
• We will learn the others (11-27) a little later.
The Amendment Process
• There are two steps in the Amendment Process:
– Proposal 2/3
– Ratification 3/4
• An amendment may be proposed by 2/3 of both
houses in Congress or by a national convention of
2/3 of the states.
• Once proposed, it must be ratified (approved) by ¾
of the states.