The United States Constitution: Articles 1 7

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 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.

The Meaning of the Preamble

It is the introduction to the Constitution It outlines the goals of the framers to create a just government and to ensure peace, an adequate national defense and a healthy, free nation.

Article 1 Deals strictly with the Legislative Branch of the government

Purpose of Article 1

The Article establishes the manner of election and qualifications of members of each House of Congress Outlines legislative procedure and enumerates the powers vested in the legislative branch Establishes limits on federal and state legislative powers

Qualifications of the Senate: 6 year terms; 1 vote per Senator 1/3 of the Senate is rolled over every 2 years Must be 30 years of age 9 year citizen of the United States Must live in the state you wish to represent

Powers of the Senate Note: VP is the President of the Senate Senate act as jury for impeachment Ratifies treaties Confirms appointments Declares war may determine the Rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two thirds, expel a member. Filibuster

Qualifications for the House: Chosen every 2 years; 1 a state Must be 25 years of age Citizen of the US for 7 years Must live in the state you wish to represent Every ten years a census takes place; which

Powers of the House: Power to raise revenue through tax Bring the charges of impeachment up against President, Vice President, Judges, or other civil officials

Article 2 Creates the executive branch of the government

Meaning of Article 2 Deals with the construction of the executive office Outlines the presidents job How the president is elected and the purpose of his position Terms of office (22 nd Amendment)

Qualifications of the President: 4 year term Must be a natural born citizen Must be 35 years of age And be a resident for 14 years May not get a pay raise while he is in office

Powers of the President Commander & Chief of the Armed Force May grant pardons or reprieves May make treaties (OK ed by the Senate) Appoint judges to the Supreme Court (OK ed by the Senate) May adjourn the Senate and call in special sessions for a specific time

Article 3 Establishes the judicial branch.

The judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court of the United States and the lower federal courts established by Congress Deals with the concept of Judicial Review Judicial review is the power of the courts to review laws related to cases before the court and overturn those that are found unconstitutional. Rights of the accused, trial by jury

Article 4 Article Four of the United States Constitution relates to the states of the union

It provides for the responsibilities states have to each other Shows the responsibilities the federal government has to the states It provides for the admission of new states and the changing of state boundaries.

Article 5 Article Five describes the process whereby the Constitution may be altered or amended

Amendments may be proposed by the Congress or by a national convention To become valid Amendments must then be ratified by either the legislatures or the ratifying conventions

Article 6 Establishes the United States Constitution and the laws and treaties of the United States made in accordance with it as the supreme law of the land, and fulfills other purposes

National Supremacy Supremacy Clause

Article 7 Article Seven of the United States Constitution describes the process by which the Constitution was ratified and took effect