U.S. Constitution Breakdown

Preamble

The introduction to the Constitution, outlining the goals of the document: to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty.

Article I: Legislative Branch

• Section 1: Establishes Congress as a bicameral legislature, consisting of the Senate and House of Representatives.
• Section 2: Defines the House of Representatives, its members' qualifications, terms, and the method of election.
• Section 3: Defines the Senate, its members' qualifications, terms, and the method of election.
• Section 4-10: Outline the powers, limitations, and operational rules for both houses of Congress.

Article II: Executive Branch

• Section 1: Establishes the office of the President and Vice President, their terms, election process, and qualifications.
• Section 2-4: Defines the powers and duties of the President, including the role as commander-in-chief, and the impeachment process.

Article III: Judicial Branch

• Section 1: Establishes the Supreme Court and authorizes Congress to create lower federal courts.
• Section 2-3: Outlines the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and other federal courts and defines treason.

Article IV: States' Relations

• Section 1-4: Addresses the states' mutual interactions, including full faith and credit, privileges and immunities, and the admission of new states.

Article V: Amendment Process

Defines the process for amending the Constitution, requiring proposals from Congress or a convention of states, and ratification by the states.

Article VI: Federal Power

• Section 1: Establishes the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties as the supreme law of the land.
• Section 2-3: Addresses federal debt, the oath of office, and prohibits religious tests for public office.

Article VII: Ratification

Specifies the procedure for ratification of the Constitution by the states.

Amendments

• Bill of Rights: The first ten amendments guaranteeing individual freedoms and rights.
• Subsequent Amendments: Additional amendments addressing various aspects of governance, rights, and the electoral process.

Sources

Constitution: What It Says, What It Means Archives – Annenberg Classroom
U.S. Constitution: Articles, Ratifying & Summary (history.com)