1. The basic set up

2. The Document Seven articles of the Constitution
1-3: Establish the separate branches of government and specify their internal operations and powers
4-7: Define the relationships among the states, explain the process of amendment, declare the supremacy of national law, and explain the procedure for ratifying the Constitution

3. Article I
Section 8 establishes the principle of Enumerated Powers in which Congress may exercise only the powers that the Constitution assigns to it
Commerce clause – “regulate Commerce with foreign nations, and among the several States.”
The last clause of Section 8, the “necessary and proper clause,” also establishes Congress’ implied powers—powers that Congress needs to execute its enumerated powers

4. Article II Establishes: President’s term of office
Procedure for electing the president through the electoral college
Qualifications for becoming president
President’s duties and powers

5. Article III The Judicial Article
Left purposely vague due to disagreement over its provisions and thus Congress established a system of federal courts, separate from state courts
Does NOT explicitly give the courts the power of judicial review or the authority of the court to invalidate congressional or presidential actions

7. Article IV - FEDERALISM
Requires that the judicial acts and criminal warrants of each state be honored in all other states – Full Faith and Credit
Forbids discrimination against citizens of one state by another state – Privileges and Immunities
Extradition
Allows the addition of new states and stipulates that the national government will protect the states against foreign invasion and domestic violence

8. EQUALITY Slavery Voting Legal in every state except Mass.
Representation and taxation based on 3/5 compromise
Grouped them under property
Voting
Some wanted universal manhood suffrage
Left it up to the states- if you could vote in state elections, you could vote in national

9. Article V
Specifies the method for amending the Constitution

10. INFORMAL CHANGES
Judicial interpretation
Social and cultural changes

11. Article VI Supremacy Clause:
Asserts that when they conflict with state or local laws, the Constitution, national laws and treaties take precedence

12. Article VII
Describes the ratification process, stipulating that approval by conventions in nine states would be necessary for the Constitution to take effect