Articles I-VII of the United States Constitution

Following the Preamble, the Framers created seven Articles Each Article explains a different function of our government. The Articles are the guidelines for our government. The government is limited to following the rules set forth in these Articles.

Article I Article I = Legislative Branch How it’s organized (# of members) Age requirements and residential requirements Term lengths Duties – what they can and cannot do How a bill becomes a law – what type of laws

Article II Article II – The Executive Branch How it’s organized Age and resident requirements Roles and Duties of the President Term length Election process/Electoral College

Article III Article III – The Judicial Branch How it’s organized Different federal courts Role of the Supreme Court and lower Federal courts Nomination process

Article IV Article IV – State Relationships State communication Recognition of each state’s laws Common procedures – common currency etc No starting wars against each other More United Must have a Republic

Article V Article V – Amending the Constitution The Framers knew changes inevitable Describes process of amending Four different processes in two steps How to make changes or additions Amendments can be proposed by 2/3 of Congress or by National Conventions (with 2/3 states attending 34), but to get ratified and added, the proposed amendment must have the request of legislatures of three-fourths (at present 38) of the states; OR State ratifying conventions in three-fourths (at present 38) of the states.

Article VI Article VI – Supremacy Clause & (debts) Two part article 1. Told everyone that any loans/debts under old gov’t were still in effect I want you to focus on part two 2. Supremacy Clause – states that no person or body of gov’t is above this Constitution. This Constitution is the “Supreme Law of the Land” and everyone must follow its guidelines

Article VII Article VII – Ratification Describes how The Constitution needed to be ratified 9/13 States required All states wishing to join must approve and agree to the U.S. Constitution