Structure of the U.S. Constitution
*Preamble: sets out the purpose and goals of the Constitution (6 purposes listed)
•
•
•
•
•
•
form a more perfect union
establish justice
ensure domestic tranquility
provide for the common defense
promote the general welfare
secure the blessings of liberty.
*Articles I-III provide the powers of the US government among three separate
branches
1)Legislative branch
-represented by Congress
2)Executive branch
-represented by the president
3)Judicial branch
-represented by the Supreme Court
*This division, called the separation of powers, is designed to
prevent any branch of the government from becoming too
powerful.
Article I:
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
Congress has the power to make laws.
Article I: LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
*Two-house Congress was one of the most important
compromises of the Constitutional Convention.
Small states: New Jersey plan —each state has the same # of
representatives.
Large states: Virginia plan —representation based on population.
Great Compromise:
-Senate: 100 total (each state has 2)
-House of Reps.: 435 total (# reps. based on population)
Article I: LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
*House of Representatives
(2 year term)
• Must be at least 25, US citizen for at least 7 years, must live in the
state representing.
• House chooses the Speaker to lead meetings.
Article I: LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
*Senate (6 year term, 1/3 elected
years)
every 2
• Must be at least 30, US citizen for at least 9 years, must
live in the state representing.
• Vice president is the President of the Senate
Article II:
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Article II: EXECUTIVE BRANCH
* President (4 year term)
* Presidential candidates must be at least 35, reside in
US for at least 14 years, natural-born US citizen
Article III:
JUDICIAL BRANCH
Article III: JUDICIAL BRANCH
-The judicial branch hears cases that challenge or require
interpretation of the legislation passed by Congress and
signed by the President.
-It consists of the Supreme Court and the lower federal
courts. Appointees to the federal bench serve for life or
until they voluntarily resign or retire.
Article III: JUDICIAL BRANCH
-The Supreme Court is the most visible of all the federal courts. The
number of Justices is determined by Congress rather than the
Constitution, and since 1869, the Court has been composed of one
Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices (9 total).
-Justices are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
Article IV:
RELATIONS AMONG STATES
Article IV: RELATIONS AMONG STATES
-FULL FAITH AND CREDIT CLAUSE requires
states to honor one another’s laws, records
and court rulings.
The rule prevents a person from avoiding
justice by leaving a state.
Article IV: RELATIONS AMONG STATES
-SECTION 2: the citizens of each state shall be entitled
to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the
several states.
This means that citizens traveling from state to state
are entitled to the privileges and immunities that
automatically go to citizens of those states.
Article IV: RELATIONS AMONG STATES
-SECTION 3: new states cannot be formed by dividing or
joining existing states without the consent of the state
legislatures and Congress.
-SECTION 4: REQUIRES THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT to
make sure that every state has a “REPUBLICAN FORM OF
GOVERNMENT.” A republican form of government is one
in which the people elect representatives to govern.
Article V:
AMENDING THE
CONSTITUTION
Article V: AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION
-Amendments may be proposed by 2/3 vote of each house of
Congress, or by a national convention called by Congress
at the request of 2/3 of the states.
-To become part of the Constitution, amendments must be
ratified (approved) by the legislatures of at least 3/4 of the
states, or by conventions in 3/4 of the states.
Article VI:
NATIONAL SUPREMACY
Article VI: NATIONAL SUPREMACY
-SUPREMACY CLAUSE: means simply that
when state laws conflict with national laws,
the national laws are superior.
It also means that, to be valid,
a national law must be in accordance with the
Constitution.
Article VII:
RATIFICATION
-Outlines the ratification (approval) procedures for passing the
Constitution.