Preamble-An Introduction

-Gives the purposes and goals ofgovernment

-We, the people of the UnitedStates, in Order to from a moreperfect Union, establish Justice,insure domestic Tranquility,provide for the common Defense,promote the general Welfare, andsecure the Blessings of Liberty toourselves and our Posterity, doordain and establish thisConstitution for the United Statesof America.

Article 1

-Describes the Congress and itspowers

-Divides Congress into two Houses

-Sets qualification and terms ofmembers

-Describes law making process

-Specifically denies certain powersto Congress

-Delegates certain powers toCongress

Ex.: taxation, borrow money,regulate commerce, coin money,declare war, establish military, doanything “necessary and proper”

Article 2

-Describes the Executive Branch

-Term and Qualifications

-Electoral method described (lateramended)

-commander in chief

-make treaties, appoint officialsupon approval

-Execute the laws of the UnitedStates

-Impeachment process

Article 3

-Describes the Judicial Branch

-Term and qualification of judges

-Jurisdiction of Federal Courts

-Right to Trial by Jury in FederalCases

-Crime of Treason is defined

Article 4

-Describes the relationship ofstates to one another and thecentral government

-Full Faith and Credit clausedescribes the legal relationshipbetween states

-Extradition process described

-Addition of new states andterritories

-Guarantee of Federal protectionfrom invaders

Article 5

-Describes the amendment process

-sets up the two methods ofproposing an amendment

-sets up the two methods ofratifying a new amendment

Article 6

-Describes the supremacy of theConstitution and the nationalgovernment

-Statement that the Constitutionis the Supreme Law of the nation(Supremacy Clause)

-requirement of an oath of officein all State and Federal positionsto support the Constitution

Article 7

-Describes the process ofratification of this Constitution

-Set up the approval method forthe Constitution