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Parts of the Constitution
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The Preamble is the one-paragraph introduction
to the Constitution. It begins the Constitution by stating the
goals of the Constitution. Below is a picture of the real document
with the preamble written out. |
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| Here are the words which are written:
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.
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| The Constitution was written
over 200 years ago. Words and phrases were used differently. Below
is a more modern statement of the preamble.
We the people of the United States want to
form a better country, create a fair and just legal system, have
peace inside the country, defend our country from other countries, help
everyone live a better life, and make sure these things last during our lifetimes
and our children's. Therefore, we make and authorize this plan of
government for the United States of America.
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The
Articles (7)
- Article I (1) The Legislative
Branch
- a long part with 10 sections, creates
the Congress to make laws, divides Congress into a Senate and House
of Representatives, makes rules for election of members, gives some powers
to Congress, limits other powers
- Article II (2) The
Executive Branch
- sets up the presidency and vice
presidency to carry out or execute the laws, election rules, powers
of the president, how to impeach
- Article III (3)
The
Judicial Branch
- sets up the Supreme Court, duties and powers
of Supreme Court and federal courts, power of judicial review,
defines treason
- Article IV
(4) The
States
- creates rules for states to get along
with other states, guarantees to states, admitting states to the
Union
- Article V (5)
Making Amendments
- how to add amendments to the
Constitution
- Article VI (6) Supreme
Law of the Land
- the Constitution is the highest law of
the land
- Article VII (7) Ratification
- the Constitution became effective when 9
out of 13 states approved it
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The Amendments
(27)
| I (1) |
freedom of
religion, speech, press, assembly, petition |
| II (2) |
right to bear
arms |
| III (3) |
quartering of
troops |
| IV (4) |
search and
seizure |
| V (5) |
due process,
double jeopardy, self-incrimination |
| VI (6) |
jury trial,
right to counsel |
| VII (7) |
common law
suits |
| VIII (8) |
excess bail or
fines, cruel and unusual punishment |
| IX (9) |
rights not named |
| X (10) |
powers reserved to states |
| XI (11) |
lawsuits against
a state |
| XII (12) |
election of
president
and vice president |
| XIII (13) |
abolition of
slavery |
| XIV (14) |
due process,
equal protection, privileges of citizens |
| XV (15) |
rights not to
be denied because of race |
| XVI (16) |
income tax |
| XVII (17) |
election of
senators |
| XVIII (18) |
prohibition |
| XIX (19) |
women's right
to vote |
| XX (20) |
presidential
term and succession |
| XXI (21) |
repeal of prohibition |
| XXII (22) |
president limited to 2
terms |
| XXIII (23) |
presidential vote for
persons in D.C. |
| XXIV (24) |
no poll tax |
| XXV (25) |
presidential succession |
| XXVI (26) |
right to vote at age 18 |
| XXVII (27) |
compensation of members of
Congress |
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