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The Constitution starts with a short preamble that explains the purpose of the document. The preamble begins: “We the People of the United States.”
These words stress that the power of the document comes from the people. After the preamble are seven articles. Some are divided into sections. Some of the articles and sections are further divided into clauses.
ARTICLE I
Article I calls for a Congress made up of a Senate and a House of Representatives. It explains how Congress shall be elected and organized. It also says what Congress’s duties shall be, what it cannot do, and the relationship between Congress and the states. Congress was forbidden to end the slave trade until at least 1808. This was a compromise to win the support of proslavery delegates, who were needed to get the Constitution passed.
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Article I contains an elastic clause. What’s that?
Article I, Section 8, gives the government the power “To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the Foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States….” This is sometimes called the elastic clause because it stretches to allow for situations that the framers of the Constitution could not foresee.
ARTICLE II
Article II says that the president shall be elected by electors chosen by each state. The number of electors equals the number of senators plus representatives from each state. The Electoral College is all of the electors.
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What else does Article II call for?
Article II tells what the president’s duties and powers are. It explains what will happen if the president dies or is removed from office. It says that the president and others can be removed from office for committing certain crimes.
ARTICLE III
Article III says that one Supreme Court will head the judicial branch. Justices serve for life, but they may be removed if they commit a crime. Congress has the power to set up lower courts as needed. The Supreme Court has the power to decide arguments about how the Constitution should be interpreted. Article III also defines treason, the act of betraying the country. It gives Congress the power to punish this crime.
ARTICLE IV
Article IV establishes the relationship between the states. It also establishes the relationship between each state and the national government. It gives Congress the right to form new states. And it says that a slave who escapes to a state that outlaws slavery must be returned to his or her owner if requested.
ARTICLE V
Article V explains two ways that the Constitution can be amended, or changed. Using either method, three-fourths of the states must vote in favor of the amendment for it to pass.
ARTICLE VI
Article VI has three clauses. The debts of the previous government must still be paid. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. All federal and state officials must take an oath of allegiance to the Constitution. But public officials cannot be required to follow a particular religion.
ARTICLE VII
If nine states ratify this Constitution, it will become the law governing them.
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Where can you see the Constitution?
The Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence can be seen in the Rotunda of the National Archives building at 700 Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C.
CHECKS AND BALANCES
After winning freedom from Great Britain, many Americans were wary of giving power to a strong central government. The Constitution addressed this problem. It set up three branches of government. The legislative branch, or Congress, makes laws. The executive branch, headed by the president, enforces laws. The judicial branch, or the courts, makes sure the laws are carried out fairly. The Constitution also made sure that no one branch had too much power. It did this with a system of checks and balances. For example, the president can veto, or say no to, a law passed by Congress. But Congress can overcome a veto with a two-thirds vote. There are many more instances of checks and balances among the three branches.
