Articles I, II, & III of the U.S. Constitution PDF
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This document provides a summary of the first three articles of the U.S. Constitution, covering the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the federal government, and explains the checks and balances system. It also briefly discusses the process of amending the Constitution.
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Articles I, II, & III The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land. It was written in 1787 and ratified in 1788, replacing the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution is divided into seven articles, with the first three outlining the structure of the federal government....
Articles I, II, & III The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land. It was written in 1787 and ratified in 1788, replacing the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution is divided into seven articles, with the first three outlining the structure of the federal government. The first article of the Constitution establishes the legislative branch of the federal government, known as Congress. Congress is made up of two parts: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives is made up of members elected every two years, with the number of representatives from each state based on its population. The Senate has two senators from each state, each serving a six-year term. Originally, state legislatures chose senators, but the Seventeenth Amendment changed this to direct election by the people. The vice president of the United States is the president of the Senate. Article Two of the Constitution establishes the executive branch of the federal government, headed by the president. The president is responsible for carrying out the laws passed by Congress. The president is elected every four years. The third article of the Constitution establishes the judicial branch of the federal government, headed by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land and has the power to interpret the Constitution and laws. The Supreme Court is made up of nine justices, who are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. The Constitution also establishes a system of checks and balances between the three branches of government. This means that each branch has the power to limit the power of the other two branches. For example, Congress can pass laws, but the president can veto them. The president can nominate judges, but the Senate must confirm them. The Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional. The Constitution is a living document that has been amended twenty-seven times since it was first ratified. These amendments have changed the Constitution in many ways, such as granting women the right to vote and abolishing slavery. The Constitution is a powerful document that continues to shape the United States today.
