THE PREAMBLE, THE ARTICLES OF THE

CONSTITUTION & THE AMENDMENTS

The Preamble Introduction to the US Constitution – 1

sentence States where power comes from Lists the 6 goals of US government

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.

“We the People of the United States”The power of the US government is in the hands of

the people

“Form a more perfect union”Act as one country

“Establish justice”The law must be reasonable, fair, and impartial

“Insure domestic tranquility”Keep peace within the country; maintain order at

home

“Provide for the common defense”Protect US interests in the world

“Promote the general welfare”Provide people with basic services

“Secure the blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity”Guarantee our freedoms today and for

future generations

The Branches of Government(Articles I-III)

The Legislative Branch (Article I) MAKES THE LAWS The House and Senate Senate originally chosen by state

legislatures First Article because Congress seen as most

important Elastic clause (Section 8, Clause 18) gives

Congress wide freedom to pass laws “necessary and proper” to running the country.

The Branches of Government(Articles I-III)

The Executive Branch (Article II)ENFORCES THE LAWSThe President

The Judicial Branch (Article III) INTERPRETS THE LAWSSCOTUS and the federal courtsMost vague; left to the most

interpretation

Relations Among States (Article IV)

Relations among the states: establishes uniformity among states

Full Faith and Credit clause: states should accept legal proceedings from other states EX: birth certificate, driver’s licenses, ownership of

a vehicle Privileges and immunities clause: citizens in

each state have the same rights as citizens in other states

Extradition clause: states must return criminals to states where they have been convicted or have to stand trial.

Changes, Supremacy, and Ratification (Articles V-VII)

Amending the constitution (Article V) National Supremacy and Other Random

Stuff (Article VI)Assumes Confederacy’s debt and

obligationsSupremacy Clause: Constitution the

supreme law of the land Ratification (Article VII)

Sets conditions for accepting the Constitution

THE AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

Two-thirds of Congress, three-fourths of state legislatures most common method

Two-thirds of Congress, three-fourths of state conventions used once to repeal Prohibition

Two-thirds of states to call a ratifying convention than would have to be approved by three-fourths of state legislatures never used, and no one knows how it would

work if they did

Amending the Constitution

Amendments 1-10 Part of the deal to ratify the constitution,

although took some time to get passed because Congress had more pressing matters

1-8 deal with personal rights 9 answers Madison’s concerns by stating

that a right doesn’t have to be here to exist

10 affirms federalism; the Supreme Court (1931) said it was redundant

The Bill of Rights (1791)

Amendments 13-15 Dealt with issues related to the Civil War, most

notably African-Americans 13th Amendment: emancipated the slaves 14th Amendment: among other things

established citizenship for all people living in the U.S.

set specific legal provisions (more on this much later)

dealt with matters related to Confederate officers and Confederate debt

15th Amendment: gave black men the right to vote

The Civil War Amendments (1865-1870)

Amendments 16-19 Dealt with specific areas of reform

16th amendment: national income tax to fund government programs

17th amendment: direct election of senators Senators originally chosen by state legislatures

18th amendment: prohibition (outlawing of alcohol) to deal with social problems stemming from

alcoholism 19th amendment: women’s suffrage (women’s

right to vote)

The Progressive Era Amendments (1913-1920)