The Constitution of the United States of America

The Constitution of the United States of America

Table of Contents

Preamble

Article 1 The Legislative Branch

Article 2 The Executive Branch

Article 3 The Judicial Branch

Article 4 Relations Among the States

Article 5 Amendment Procedures

Article 6 Supremacy of the Constitution

Article 7 Ratification

Preamble

GOALS: 1. To Form a More Perfect Union

2. To Establish Justice

3. To Ensure Domestic Tranquility

4. To Provide for the Common Defense

5. To Promote the General Welfare

6. To Secure the Blessings of Liberty

Article 1 The Legislative Branch

Senate / House of Representatives
Qualifications / 1. 30+ yrs. old
2. 9 Yrs of US Citizenship
3. State Resident / 1. 25+ yrs. old
2. 7 yrs. Of US Citizenship
3. State Resident
Length of Term / 6 Year Terms / 2 year Terms
Leader / Vice President / Speaker of the House
Shared
Powers
(Section 8) / 1. Write Laws
2. Override with Veto2/3
3. National Budget
4. Declare War
5. Grant Citizenship
6. Coin Money
7. All Necessary Laws- “Elastic Clause”
Exclusive Powers / 1. Try Impeachment
2. Approve Pres. Appointments / 1. Impeach
2. Propose taxes
Powers Denied to Congress
(Section 9) / 1. Cannot take money without permission
2. Cannot tax interstate trade
3. No Ex Post Facto Laws
4. Cannot grant titles of nobility
5. Cannot write laws applying to only some states
Powers Denied to the States
(Section 10) / 1. No State can make a Treaty with another Country
2. Cannot Coin Money
3. Cannot pass laws ex post facto
4. Cannot declare war
5. Cannot grant titles of Nobility

Article 2 The Executive Branch

Presidents are elected through the Electoral College

President
Qualifications
(Section 1) / 1. Born a US Citizen
2. At least 35 years old
3. US resident for 14 years
Term (Section 1) / 4 years
Powers
(Section 2) / 1. Commander-in-Chief of the US Military
2. Pardon federal offenses (Give a “get out of jail free card”)
3. Make Treaties (with 2/3 of Senators)
4. Nominate SCOTUS Justices, and other gov’t officials
Removal For
(Section 4) / Impeachment and Conviction of:
1. Treason
2. Bribery
3. Other high crimes and misdemeanors

Article 3 The Judicial Branch

The Supreme Court

Jurisdiction

1. Constitutional Law

2. Disputes between States

3. Treason: waging war against the US, allying with US

Enemies, and/or giving Enemies Aid and Comfort

Appointment:

1. Nominated by the President, and

2. Approved by the Senate

Term: Life (with good behavior)

Article 4 Relations Among the States

Section 1:

“Full faith and credit”- States are expected to respect other States’ Laws

Section 2:

·  A citizen of any State is to be respected by ALL States.

·  Extradition- Anyone accused of a crime in one state, should be returned to that State upon request.

Section 3:

Only Congress has the Power to admit new States

Section 4:

The US ensures ALL States will be Republics.

The US will protect Each State from foreign invasion.

The US will help fight Domestic Violence when asked by the States.

Article 5 Amendment Procedures

To Start / To Ratify
2/3 of Congress / ¾ Of State Legislatures
OR / OR
2/3 of States can call for a Convention / ¾ of State Conventions

Article 6 Supremacy of the Constitution

The Constitution is “THE SUPREME LAW OF THE LAND”

No law may be written that conflicts with it.

Article 7 Ratification

9 of 13 States required to put this constitution into effect.

Amendments to the Constitution

The Bill of Rights (1-10)

1. (I) RAPPS: Religion, Assembly, Press, Petition, Speech 1791

2. (II) Bear Arms 1791

3. (III) Quartering 1791

4. (IV) Search and Seizure 1791

5. (V) Self-Incrimination & Double Jeopardy 1791

6. (VI) Speedy Trial 1791

7. (VII) Civil Suits – Jury 1791

8. (VIII) Bail & Punishments 1791

9. (IX) Reserved Rights People 1791

10. (X) Reserved Powers States 1791

11. (XI) Trial against a State in State Court 1795

12. (XII) Election of President & VP 1804

13. (XIII) END SLAVERY 1865

14. (XIV) CITIZENSHIP 1868

15. (XV) VOTING RIGHTS 1870

16. (XVI) Income Tax 1913

17. (XVII) Direct Election of Senators 1913

18. (XVIII) PROHIBITION 1919

19. (XIX) Women Vote 1920

20. (XX) Inauguration & Lame Duck 1933

21. (XXI) PROHIBITION REPEALED 1933

22. (XXII) Limit Terms of President 1951

23. (XXIII) D.C. 3 Electors 1961

24. (XXIV) Poll Tax Abolished 1964

25. (XXV) Presidential Disability & Succession 1967

26. (XXVI) 18-Year Old Vote 1971

27. (XXVII) Congressional Salary Restraint 1992