Structure of the U.S. Constitution

What is a constitution?
U.S. Constitution

constitution – a document that tells how a government is organized and run

The U.S. Constitution helps answer the following questions:
• What is the purpose of government?
• What is the organization of government?
• What parts does our government have?
• What does each part do?
• How does the government go about its business, like making laws?
• How are people selected to serve in government?

How is the
Constitution organized?
Article 1
Article 2
Article 3
Preamble
Bill of Rights
Article 4
Article 5
Article 6
Article 7
Amendments 11-27

How is the
Constitution organized?
Article 1
Article 2
Article 3 Bill of Rights
Article 4
Article 5
Article 6
Article 7
Amendments 11-27
Preamble – an introduction that lists the goals of the Constitution

U.S. Constitution
Preamble
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

How is the
Constitution organized?
Article 1
Article 2
Article 3 Bill of Rights
Article 4
Article 5
Article 6
Article 7
Amendments 11-27
Preamble – an introduction that lists the goals of the Constitution

In 2006, more American teenagers could identify the
Three Stooges than the three branches of government.
Larry Moe Curly

Article 1 – Legislative Branch two houses
Main function – to make laws
House of
Representatives
(435 members)
Senate
(100 members)
Congress
(535 members)

Article 2 – Executive Branch
President, also known as the Chief
Executive
Main function – to enforce the laws

Article 3 – Judicial Branch
Supreme Court – highest court in the nation
Main function – interpret the laws
Nine justices

How is the
Constitution organized?
Preamble – an introduction that lists the goals of the Constitution
Article 1 – Legislative Branch
Article 2 – Executive Branch
Article 3 – Judicial Branch
Bill of Rights
Article 4
Article 5
Article 6
Article 7
Amendments 11-27

Article 4 – Sharing Power with the States

Article 5 – Amending the Constitution
A change made to the
Constitution is called an amendment.

How is the
Constitution organized?
Bill of Rights
Preamble – an introduction that lists the goals of the Constitution
Article 1 – Legislative Branch
Article 2 – Executive Branch
Article 3 – Judicial Branch
Article 4 – Sharing Power with the States
Article 5 – Amending the Constitution
Article 6
Article 7
Amendments 11-27

Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments added to the Constitution.
The Bill of Rights guarantees all citizens certain rights.

25 th Amendment
Amendments 11-27
15 th , 19 th , and 24 th
Amendments
12 th Amendment

How is the
Constitution organized?
Preamble – an introduction that lists the goals of the Constitution
Article 1 – Legislative Branch
Article 2 – Executive Branch
Article 3 – Judicial Branch
Article 4 – Sharing Power with the States
Article 5 – Amending the Constitution
Article 6
Article 7
Bill of Rights – first 10 Amendments
Amendments 11-27