1. The Preamble & Articles
Unit 3: Mr. Schwarz

2. The Preamble to the United States Constitution
Preamble – a preliminary statement; an introduction
The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America expresses the reasons the constitution was written.

4. 6 Purposes of U.S. Government
What it actually says
What it actually means
To form a more perfect union
To establish justice
To ensure domestic tranquility
To provide for the common defense
To promote the general welfare
To secure the blessings of liberty
To create a better Country (Nation)
Create Courts
Create and Enforce Laws
Military
Public Education
The freedoms we have
The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America begins, “We the People,” thereby establishing that the power of government comes from the people.

5. Organization of the U.S. Constitution
After the Preamble, the U.S. Constitution has 7 articles:
Article I: Legislative Branch
Article II: Executive Branch
Article III: Judicial Branch
Article IV: The States
Article V: Amendments
Article VI: Debts, Supremacy, Oaths
Article VII: Ratification

6. Article I: Legislative Branch
Describes how Congress will be set up, how laws will be made, and what powers Congress will have.
Congress broken up into two houses
The House of Representatives
The Senate
Bicameral – consisting of two houses (or groups)

7. Rotunda

8. House of Representatives

9. Senate

11. Article II: Executive Branch
Describes how the president will be elected, who can run for president, and what powers and responsibilities the president has.

14. Article III: Judicial Branch
Describes the powers of the Supreme Court and other federal courts

16. Article IV: The States
Describes how the states will relate to each other, how new states can be added to the Union, and how the federal government will protect the states.

17. Describes how to make changes to, or amend, the Constitution.
Article V: Amendments
Describes how to make changes to, or amend, the Constitution.

18. Article VI: Supremacy & Oaths
States that the Constitution is the law of the land and that all senators and representatives must swear to support the Constitution.

19. Article VII: Ratification
States that at least nine states must accept the Constitution before it can become law.