Transcript Chapter Three, Section Three

“The Structure of the Constitution”
“Supreme Law of the Land”
“Supreme Law of the Land”
The “U.S.
Constitution” is the
highest authority in
the nation.
 All power of the U.S.
Government is
derived from this
document.

Three Parts of the Constitution
Preamble - Introduction or Goals of the
Constitution
The 7 Articles - (LEJ RASR): Body of the
Constitution
The 27 Amendments - Changes to the Constitution
The “Preamble” video
“Preamble”
The introduction to our Constitution is called
the 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 defense, 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.”

The phrases “We the People” illustrates the people rule!
this is known as popular sovereignty, and the government
gets it power from the people –
This portion of the Constitution lists the six goals of our
government.


Goal #1: To Form a more
perfect Union

To unite the states more effectively so
they can operate as a single nation, for
the good of all
Goal #2: To establish Justice

To create a system of fair laws and courts
and make certain that all citizens are
treated equally.
Goal #3: To insure domestic
Tranquility

To maintain peace and order, keeping
citizens and property safe from harm.
Goal #4: To provide for the
common defense

To be ready militarily to protect the
country and it’s citizens from outside
attack.
Goal #5: To promote the general
Welfare

To help people live healthy, happy, and
prosperous lives
Goal #6: To secure the Blessings of
Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity

To guarantee the freedom and basic rights of
all Americans, including future generations
(“posterity”). video

In order to carry out these goals, we the
people ordain (declare or decree) this as our
plan for government – our constitution!
The “Articles” video
Lists the functions and purposes of the
government
Article I – “L”

Article I establishes the Legislative
Branch (U.S. Congress).
 It creates the “Senate” and the “House of
Representatives”.
 Congress has the task of “making laws”.
 Only Congress can declare war or coin
money.
Article II – “E”

Article II establishes the Executive
Branch (U.S. President & Vice President).
 It establishes procedures for electing the
president and vice president
 President has the task of “carrying out
laws”.
Article III – “J”

Article III establishes the Judicial Branch
(U.S. Supreme Court and other lower
courts).

Their main job is to try cases and
interpret the laws
Article IV – “R”

Article IV establishes the relations of the
states and the rights of citizens.
 It establishes “good will” among states.
 Promises U.S. protection of the states.
Article V – “A”

Article V discusses the Amending the
Constitution
 To amend (or change) allows the
Constitution to change with the times.
 We currently have 27 Amendments
 “Bill of Rights” are the first 10
amendments
Article VI -- “S”
Article VI discusses the “supremacy” of
the Constitution.
 The Constitution is the highest authority
in the land.
 If state law contradicts the Constitution,
the Constitution wins.

Article VII – “R”
Article VII discusses the “ratification”
of the Constitution.
To Ratify means to Approve


It required 9 out of 13 states to ratify
before the Constitution would go into
effect.