Excerpts of the U.S. Constitution Unit 3 Lesson 1

Article I Section 8 The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts, and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the Unites States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States. Congress can tax, defend the nation, and make taxes the same throughout the country.

Congress had no power to tax. Article I Section 8 Related Weakness of the Articles of Confederation How was this weakness “fixed” by the Constitution? Congress had no power to tax. Congress could collect taxes, which made them able to defend the nation.

Congress can regulate trade between other countries and the states. Article I Section 8 The Congress shall have Power… To regulate Commerce foreign Nations, and among the several States Congress can regulate trade between other countries and the states.

Congress had no power to regulate trade. Article I Section 8 Related Weakness of the Articles of Confederation How was this weakness “fixed” by the Constitution? Congress had no power to regulate trade. Only Congress can regulate trade between the states and other countries.

The president can enforce the laws of Congress. Article II Section 3 …he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed… The president can enforce the laws of Congress.

Congress had no power to enforce laws. Article II Section 3 Related Weakness of the Articles of Confederation How was this weakness “fixed” by the Constitution? Congress had no power to enforce laws. It gave the President the power to enforce laws throughout the country.

Article III Section 1 The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. A judicial branch will have one Supreme Court and lower courts as created by Congress.

The Constitution created an independent national court system. Article III Section 1 Related Weakness of the Articles of Confederation How was this weakness “fixed” by the Constitution? The national government lacked a national court system (judicial branch). The Constitution created an independent national court system.

Creates the executive branch and gives this power to the President. Article II Section 1 The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. Creates the executive branch and gives this power to the President.

There was no central leadership (executive branch). Article II Section 1 Related Weakness of the Articles of Confederation How was this weakness “fixed” by the Constitution? There was no central leadership (executive branch). The Constitution created the executive branch and gave the President power over it.

Article V The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution… Congress can change the Constitution with 2/3 vote in both Houses of Congress.

Changes to the Articles required unanimous consent of the 13 states. Article V Related Weakness of the Articles of Confederation How was this weakness “fixed” by the Constitution? Changes to the Articles required unanimous consent of the 13 states. Congress could change the Constitution with 2/3 vote in both Houses (made it easier to change it).