Articles of The Constitution

American Government

Article 1 

Establishes the legislative branch of the U.S. government—Congress—and gives it the power to make laws.

Article 1 Section 1: Legislative Powers Vested in Congress

Gives Congress the power to make laws through the Senate and House.

Article 1 Section 2: Housse of Representatives Powers and Duties

Defines the structure and election rules for the House of Representatives, including terms, qualifications, and how seats are divided among states.

Article 1 Section 3: Senate Powers and Duties

Outlines the structure and powers of the Senate, including how senators are chosen and their role in impeachment trials.

Article 1 Section 4: Election of Senators and Representatives

Let’s states set rules for congressional elections but gives Congress power to change those rules. It also sets when Congress meets.

Article 1 Section 5: Quorum, Journals, Meetings, Adjournments

Gives each house of Congress power to set its own rules, judge elections, and discipline members.

Article 1 Section 6: Compensation, Privileges, Disabilities 

Sets rules for paying members of Congress and protects them from arrest during sessions, except for serious crimes.

Article 1 Section 7: Procedure for passing Bills and Resolutions

Explains how bills become laws, including steps for approval by Congress and the president’s role in signing or vetoing them.

Article 1 Section 8: Congressional Powers

Congress’s powers, like taxing, declaring war, regulating trade, and making laws needed to carry out its duties.

Article 1 Section 9: Limitations on Congressional Powers

Limits Congress’s powers by banning certain actions like suspending habeas corpus, passing ex post facto laws, exporting taxes, no favorites, public money, or granting titles of nobility.

Article 1 Section 10: Limitations on Powers of States

Limits state powers by banning actions like making treaties, coining money, engaging in wars, or passing laws that violate federal authority.

Article 1 Section 9/10 is

Both powers that are deined from national and state govt

• Right to trial by jury​

• titles of nobility​

• pass ex post facto laws ​

• ‘after the fact’​

Article II

Creates the executive branch, led by the president, and outlines their powers, duties, and how they’re elected and removed.

Article II Section 1: Power of executive, electors, and qualifications

Establishes the presidency, outlines how the president and vice president are elected, and sets their qualifications and term limits.

Article II Section 2: Powers of the President

Gives the president powers like leading the military, making treaties (with Senate approval), and appointing officials like judges and ambassadors

Article II Section 3: Duties of the President

Requires the president to report on the state of the union, enforce laws, and meet with foreign leaders.

Article II Section 4: Impeachment

Allows the removal of the president, vice president, and other federal officials through impeachment for treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanor

Article III

Creates the judicial branch, establishes the Supreme Court, and defines its powers and limits, including handling constitutional and federal legal cases

Article III Section 1: Judicial Power

Creates the Supreme Court and lets Congress set up lower courts. It also protects judges’ jobs and pay.

Article III Section 2: Jurisdiction

Explains the types of cases federal courts can hear and gives the Supreme Court authority over constitutional and legal disputes.

Judicial branch authority to hear cases involving Constitution, U.S. laws, disputes between states​

Article III Section 3: Treason, Proof and Punishment

Defines treason against the U.S. and sets rules for convicting someone of it, requiring either a confession or two witnesses.

Article IV

Explains how states interact with each other and the federal government, including honoring laws, extraditing criminals, and admitting new states.

Article IV Section 1: States’ Rights

• Full Faith & Credit – honor all laws, records, & courtdecisions​

Article IV Section 2: Privileges and Immunities, Fugitives

Ensures equal treatment for citizens across states, requires states to return fugitives, and limits states from discriminating against non-residents.

(Citizenship/Extradition)

Article IV Section 3: Admission of New States

Explains how new states can join the Union and gives Congress authority over U.S. territories and federal property.

Article IV Section 4: Guarantee of Republican Government

Guarantees every state a republican form of government and promises federal protection against invasion and domestic violence.

Article V: Constitutional Amendments

Explains how the Constitution can be amended, allowing changes through proposals by Congress or states and approval by three-fourths of the states.

Article VI: Debts, Treaties, Oaths

Outlines the relationship between states and the federal government. It requires states to honor each other’s laws and court decisions, allows Congress to admit new states, and guarantees each state a republican form of government. (Supremacy Clause)

Supremacy Clause

It declares that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the highest law of the land, meaning they override conflicting state laws.

Article VII: Original Ratification

Explains how the Constitution was ratified, requiring approval from nine of the thirteen original states for it to take effect.