Constitutional Articles (Summarized)

Article I

Legislative Branch

• Creates congress, made of the Senate and the House of Representatives

• States that branch creates laws, collects taxes, declares war

• Lists enumerated powers and the elastic clause.

Article II

Executive Branch

• Creates the office of the President and VP.

• Sets rules for electoral college

• Defines president as Commander-in-Chief of the military

• Requires the president to enforce national laws

Article III

Judicial Branch

• Creates the Supreme Court and allows congress to create lower federal courts

• Outlines court’s jurisdiction and defines treason

Article IV

The States

• Outlines how states relate to each other and the federal government

• Grantees republican government for each state

• Describes process/rules of admitting a new state

Article V

Amendment Process

• Outlines how to change or add amendments to the Constitution

• (2/3 vote in congress or convention proposal, and 3/4 state vote for ratification)

Article VI

Supremacy Clause

• Defines the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties supreme

• Federal law is superior to conflicting state laws

Article VII

Ratification

• Explains how the new Constitution was approved by the states

• (9/13 states had to agree)