3.3 The Structure 3.3 The Structure of Our of Our

ConstitutionConstitution Mrs. ShadoinMrs. Shadoin

Civics and Civics and EconomicsEconomics

Sections of the Sections of the ConstitutionConstitution

The main purpose The main purpose of the Constitution of the Constitution is to provide a is to provide a framework for the framework for the US government; it US government; it is the is the highesthighest authority in the authority in the nation and has nation and has threethree main parts. main parts.

Sections of the Sections of the ConstitutionConstitution

The first is the The first is the PreamblePreamble, an , an introduction that states introduction that states the goals and purposes the goals and purposes of the governmentof the government

Next are Next are sevenseven articles articles that describe the that describe the structure of structure of governmentgovernment

Third are Third are 2727 amendments, or amendments, or changes to the changes to the ConstitutionConstitution

PREAMBLEPREAMBLE

ARTICLESARTICLES(7)(7)

AMENDMENTSAMENDMENTS(27)(27)

The PreambleThe Preamble

States that the States that the power of power of government comes government comes from the from the peoplepeople, , government exists government exists to serve them, also to serve them, also states the states the sixsix purposes of purposes of governmentgovernment

To form a more perfect To form a more perfect unionunion

Means- Means- to unite to unite the states so they the states so they can operate as a can operate as a single nationsingle nation

To establish justiceTo establish justice

Means- Means- to make to make certain all citizens certain all citizens are treated equallyare treated equally

To insure domestic To insure domestic tranquilitytranquility

Means- Means- to maintain to maintain peace and order, peace and order, keep citizens and keep citizens and property safe from property safe from harmharm

To provide for the common To provide for the common defensedefense

Means- Means- to be ready militarily to protect to be ready militarily to protect the country and citizens from attackthe country and citizens from attack

To promote the general To promote the general welfarewelfare

Means- Means- to help people live healthy, happy, to help people live healthy, happy, and prosperous livesand prosperous lives

To secure the blessings of To secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our liberty to ourselves and our

posterityposterity Means- Means- to guarantee basic rights of all to guarantee basic rights of all

Americans, including future generationsAmericans, including future generations

Article IArticle I

The The LegislativeLegislative Branch (MAKES LAWS) Branch (MAKES LAWS) States States CongressCongress, made up of two houses, , made up of two houses,

the the SenateSenate and House of Representatives, and House of Representatives, will have all lawmaking authoritywill have all lawmaking authority

Article IIArticle II

The The ExecutiveExecutive Branch (ENFORCES LAWS) Branch (ENFORCES LAWS) Headed by a president and Headed by a president and vice presidentvice president It lists the president’s powers, including the It lists the president’s powers, including the

power to command the armed forces and make power to command the armed forces and make treatiestreaties

Article IIIArticle III

The The JudicialJudicial Branch (INTERPRETS LAWS) Branch (INTERPRETS LAWS) Calls for Calls for “one Supreme Court”“one Supreme Court” and lower and lower

courts as appropriatecourts as appropriate

Article IVArticle IV

Explains the relationship between Explains the relationship between statesstates and the national governmentand the national government

Article VArticle V

Specifies under Specifies under what conditions what conditions the Constitution the Constitution can be can be changedchanged

These changes are These changes are known as known as amendmentsamendments

Article VIArticle VI

Declares the Constitution the Declares the Constitution the “supreme Law of the Land.”“supreme Law of the Land.”

This is known as the This is known as the supremacy supremacy clauseclause

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Article VIIArticle VII

The Constitution would take effect The Constitution would take effect when 9 states when 9 states ratifiedratified it it