The U.S. Constitution

A summary of major points, articles, and sections within this historic document.The U.S. ConstitutionStudent X US History I Period 7

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 Preamble

Section 1: All legislative Powers herein granted shall bevestedin a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.Article I Responsibilities for lawmakingSection 2: House of Representatives

-A member may be elected for 2 year terms.

-This group may elect its own leaders.

-Must be at least 25 years old to be in this group.

-1 member for every 30,000 citizens in state.Section 3: The Senate

-A member may be elected for 6 year terms.

-Must be at least 30 years old to be in this group.

-2 members from each state.Procedures of Operations highlighted in Sections 4-6.Section 7 Law making procedures.Section 8 Gives Congress the power to establish and maintain a navy. Also to establish post offices, to create courts, to declare war, and to raise money.

Article I Responsibilities for lawmaking

Section 9 Cant pass laws that make thing illegal starting yesterday, last week, etc. No law can play favorites towards one state in particular. Also makes it impossible to spend money without permission.Article I Responsibilities for lawmaking

Section 10 States cant make their own money, declare war, or tax goods from other states.Article I Responsibilities for lawmaking

Section 1 Establishes office of the President and Vice-President. Both serve for 4 years. Required to be 35 years old and born in the USA. Salary cannot change while he [President/Vice-President] is in office.Article II Creating Jobs & Enforcing Laws

Section 2 President leads the armed forces (Commander in Chief). Has a Cabinet to advise him. Is allowed to make treaties with other nations (2/3 of Senate must approve). Selects Supreme Justices and other government officials.Article II Creating Jobs & Enforcing Laws

Section 3 President MUST give a yearly speech to the nation. Can give suggestions to Congress (like that makes a difference ). Ensures that US laws are carried out.Article II Creating Jobs & Enforcing Laws

Section 4 Highlights how to kick the President out of office. Otherwise known as impeachment.Article II Creating Jobs & Enforcing Laws

Section 1 Establishes the Supreme Court. Supreme Judges or Justices serve for life or until retirement.Article III Judiciary Decisions

Section 2 Decides which cases the Supreme Court must hear. Also guarantees trials by jury in criminal court.Article III Judiciary Decisions

Section 3 Defines what the crime of Treason is.the crime of betraying one's country, esp. by attempting to kill the sovereign or overthrow the government.Article III Judiciary DecisionsTREASON!Section 1 All states will honor the laws of all other states.Article IV The Rights of the States

Section 2 Citizens of one state are treated equally in a different state. If a person is accused of a crime and flees to another state, the state they fled to will return said person to the state they were accused in.Article IV The Rights of the States

Section 3 Describes how new states may enter the Union.

Section 4 Ensures a Power by the People type government.Article IV The Rights of the States

2/3 of Representatives must vote on change.2/3 of Senators must vote on change. of the States must vote on change.Article V Changes to the Constitution

Guarantees that the Constitution, all laws, and all treaties of the United States is to be the Supreme Law of the Land.Requires all officers of the United States to swear an oath of allegiance to the United States and to the Constitution when taking office.Article VI Concerning the States

Of the 13 original states, 9 had to accept the Constitution before it could officially go into effect.Article VII Agreeing on this document

FIN.