The ConstitutionCLICK ON THE TARGET TO BEGIN

What is a constitution?

A constitution is a plan that organizes the way a government will be run

Our nation’s constitution is called the United States Constitution.

How is the United States Constitution set up?

First section: The Preamble Purpose: This is the introduction to the Constitution It states the goals

Preamble

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

How is the United States Constitution set up?

Second section: The Seven Articles Purpose: The seven articles set up the government,

as it is today Remember the acronym–

“Lets Enjoy Justice and C.A.S.H.”

Acronym

Article one: Let’s

Article two: Enjoy

Article three:

Justice &

Article four:

C

Article five:

A

Article six:

S

Article seven:

H

Acronym

Article one: Legislative

Branch

Article two: Executive

Branch

Article three: Judicial Branch

Article four: Creating new

states (process)

Article five: Amendment

making process

Article six: Supremacy

Clause

Article seven:How to Ratify

the Constitution

Articles I, II, and III

• This is the branch that creates laws for the nation• Sets up Congress (Senate and House of

Representatives)

Article One: Legislative

Branch

• This is the branch that enforces the law• Sets up the President and his/her cabinet

Article Two: Executive Branch

• This is the branch that interprets the law• Sets up the Supreme Court and national court

system

Article Three: Judicial Branch

Practice…

Article PurposeArticle One

Article Two

Article Three

Articles IV, V, and VI

• Explains process for creating new states• Explains relationships between states

Article Four: Creating new states

• They knew the Constitution would have to be flexible

• This explains process for how to make an amendment (change) to the Constitution

Article Five: Amendment Process

• This states that national government powers are supreme to state powers

• U.S. Constitution is the ‘Supreme Law of the land’

Article Six: Supremacy Clause

Articles VII

• This explains what is needed for the Constitution to go into effect (how to ratify)

Article Seven: How to Ratify

Practice…

Article PurposeArticle Four

Article Five

Article Six

Article Seven

Practice…

Article PurposeArticle OneArticle TwoArticle ThreeArticle FourArticle FiveArticle SixArticle Seven

Amendments

Amendments provide a way for the Constitution to be changed (amended)

The Constitution is considered a ‘living’ document, because it is flexible and can be changed throughout time

Amendments 1-10: The Bill of Rights Amendments 11-27: Changes to the Constitution