The U.S. Constitution Articles, Amendments and Preamble

In just four hand-written pages, the Constitution gives us no less than the owners manual to the greatest form of government the world has ever known. Preamble While the Preamble has no legal standing, it explains the purpose of the Constitution and reflects the goals of the Founders for the new government they were creating.The Preamble explains in just a few words what the people could expect their new government to provide them -- the defense of their liberty. Article I - The Legislative Branch Article I, Section 1Establishes the  legislature  -- Congress -- as the first of the three branches of governmentArticle I, Section 2Defines the  House of RepresentativesArticle I, Section 3Defines the  SenateArticle I, Section 4Defines how members of Congress are to be elected, and how often Congress must meetArticle I, Section 5Establishes procedural rules of CongressArticle I, Section 6Establishes that members of Congress will be paid for their service, that members cannot be detained while traveling to and from meetings of Congress, and that members can hold no other elected or appointed federal government  office while serving in Congress.Article I, Section 7Defines the legislative process --  how bills become lawsArticle I, Section 8Defines the  powers of CongressArticle I, Section 9Defines the legal limitations on Congress powersArticle I, Section 10Defines specific powers denied to the states Article II, Section 1 Establishes the offices of the  President  and Vice President, establishes the  Electoral CollegeArticle II, Section 2Defines the  powers of the President  and establishes the  Presidents CabinetArticle II, Section 3Defines miscellaneous duties of the PresidentArticle II, Section 4Addresses the removal from office of the President by  impeachment Article III -- The Judicial Branch Article III, Section 1 Establishes the  Supreme Court  and defines the terms of service of all U.S. federal judgesArticle III, Section 2Defines the  jurisdiction of the Supreme Court  and lower federal courts, and guarantees trial by jury in criminal courtsArticle III, Section 3Defines the crime of treason Article IV -- Concerning the States Article IV, Section 1 Requires that each state must respect the laws of all other statesArticle IV, Section 2Ensures that citizens of each state will be treated fairly and equally in all states, and requires the interstate extradition of criminalsArticle IV, Section 3Defines how new states may be incorporated as part of the United States, and defines the control of federally-owned landsArticle IV, Section 4Ensures each state a Republican form of Government (functioning as a representative democracy), and protection against invasion Article V  -  Amendment Process Defines the method of  amending the Constitution Article VI  -  Legal Status of the Constitution Defines the Constitution as the supreme law of the United States Article VII  -  Signatures Amendments The first 10 amendments comprise  the Bill of Rights. 1st AmendmentEnsures the five basic freedoms: freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to assemble and freedom to petition the government to remedy (redress) grievances2nd AmendmentEnsures the right to own firearms (defined by the Supreme Court as an individual right)3rd AmendmentEnsures private citizens that they cannot be forced to house U.S.soldiers during peace4th AmendmentProtects against police searches or seizures with out a warrant issued by a court and based on probable cause5th AmendmentEstablishes the rights of citizens accused of crimes6th AmendmentEstablishes the rights of citizens in regard to trials and juries7th AmendmentGuarantees the right to trial by jury in federal civil court cases8th AmendmentProtects against cruel and unusual criminal punishments and extraordinarily large fines9th AmendmentStates that just because a right is not specifically listed in the Constitution, does not mean that right should not be respected10th AmendmentSt ates that powers not granted to the federal government are granted either to the states or the people (the basis of  federalism)11th AmendmentClarifies the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court12th AmendmentRedefines how the  Electoral College  chooses the President and Vice President13th AmendmentAbolishes slavery in all states14th AmendmentGuarantees citizens of all states rights on both the state and federal level15th AmendmentProhibits the use of race as a qualification to vote16th AmendmentAuthorizes the collection of income taxes17th AmendmentSpecifies that U.S. Senators will be elected by the people, rather than the state legislatures18th AmendmentProhibited the sale or manufacture of alcoholic beverages in the U.S. (Prohibition)19th AmendmentProhibited the use of gender as a qualification to vote (Womens Suffrage)20th AmendmentCreates new starting dates for sessions of Congress, addresses the death of Presidents before they are sworn in21st AmendmentRepealed the 18th Amend ment22nd AmendmentLimits to two the number of 4-year terms a President can serve.br/>23rd AmendmentGrants the District of Columbia three electors in the  Electoral College24th AmendmentProhibits the charging of a tax (Poll Tax) in order to vote in federal elections25th AmendmentFurther clarifies the process of  presidential succession26th AmendmentGrants 18-year olds the right to vote27th AmendmentEstablishes that laws raising the pay of members of Congress cannot take effect until after an election