1. Articles I-VII of the United States Constitution

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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