Download 3.3 The Structure of Our Constitution

3.3 The Structure of
Our Constitution
Civics and Economics
Sections of the Constitution
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The main purpose of the
Constitution is to
provide a framework for
the US government
It is the highest authority
in the nation and has
three main parts.
Sections of the Constitution
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The first is the Preamble,
an introduction that
states the goals and
purposes of the
government
Next are seven articles
that describe the
structure of government
Third are 27
amendments, or changes
to the Constitution
PREAMBLE
ARTICLE
(7)
AMENDMENTS
(27)
The Preamble
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States that the power of
government comes from
the people
Government exists to
serve them
States the six purposes of
government
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHp7sMqPL0g
To form a more perfect union

Means- to unite the
states so they can operate
as a single nation
To establish justice

Means- to make certain
all citizens are treated
equally
To insure domestic tranquility

Means- to maintain
peace and order, keep
citizens and property safe
from harm
To provide for the common defense

Means- to be ready militarily to protect the country and
citizens from attack
To promote the general welfare

Means- to help people live healthy, happy, and
prosperous lives
To secure the blessings of liberty to
ourselves and our posterity

Means- to guarantee basic rights of all Americans,
including future generations
https://youtu.be/L0KRT31RgK4
Article I
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Legislative Branch (MAKES LAWS)
Bicameral Congress
Senate and House of Representatives
Article II
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Executive Branch (ENFORCES LAWS)
Headed by a president and vice president
It lists the president’s powers, including the power to
command the armed forces and make treaties
Article III
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
Judicial Branch (INTERPRETS LAWS)
Calls for “one Supreme Court” and lower courts as
appropriate
Article IV.1

Explains the relationship between states and the
national government
Article IV.2
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The Full Faith and Credit Clause
States have to respect the "public acts, records,
and judicial proceedings of every other state."
Article V
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Amendment process
Amendments are
changes to the
constitution
Article VI
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Supremacy Clause= the constitution is the
“supreme Law of the Land.”
>
Article VII

Ratification- would take effect when 9 states
approved it