The Articles of the Constitution
of the United States
© North Carolina Community College System
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The United States Constitution
has three parts.
A Preamble
7 Articles
27
Amendments
This lesson is on the seven Articles.
The Seven
Articles are the
plan of
government for
the United
States.
Article I sets up the
Legislative Branch of
government. It creates the U.S.
Congress.
Only Congress can make federal
laws for the United States.
Article II sets up the Executive
Branch of Government to provide
leadership for the country.
The President is in charge of the
Executive Branch.
Article III sets up the Judicial
Branch of Government. The
Supreme Court is the highest court
in the land.
Article IV tells how the states relate to each
other and to the federal government.
Federal
Government
It also tells how new states may be
admitted to the Union.
Article V tells how the Constitution
may be amended (changed).
Only men can vote.
Men and women can
vote.
Article VI says the Constitution is
the supreme law of the land.
Article VI requires
public officials to
take an oath to
support the
Constitution.
It also authorizes
Congress to
borrow money (the
national debt).
Article VII says the Constitution
will be the law if nine states ratify
(accept) it.
All thirteen states ratified the
Constitution between 1787 and
1790!
Delaware was the first state to
ratify the Constitution, and Rhode
Island was the last.
Before we look at the Amendments
to the Constitution, let’s see how
the Legislative, Executive, and
Judicial branches of government
work.
Preamble
7
27
Articles
Amendments