Articles of the Constitution Summary: Overall Summary of the 7 Articles The overall summary of the 7 Articles of the Constitution Summary are as follows, click the links for the full text and simple summaries of each of the sections and clauses of the Articles of the Constitution: Articles of the Constitution Summary: Summary of Article 1 - The Legislative Branch of Government Articles Summary: Article 1 of the Constitution is very long, consisting of 10 sections. It can be summarized by saying that it primarily deals with Congress. Article 1 establishes the Legislative branch of the government and explains who may become a representative, and who may become a senator. It then explains all of the powers that Congress and the individual states have, and what Congress and the states are not be allowed to do. Articles of the Constitution Summary: Summary of Article 2 - The Executive Branch of Government Articles Summary: Article 2 of the Constitution establishes the Executive branch of the government that deals with the election, powers and responsibilities of the President. The presidential powers include the right to pardon people and delay executions. The presidential duties include recommending taxes and laws. Article 2 also details with the process of impeachment in which any Public Officials can be impeached for treason, bribery or other serious crimes. Articles of the Constitution Summary: Summary of Article 3 - The Judicial Branch of Government Articles Summary: Article 3 of the Constitution establishes the Judiciary branch that deals with the courts and judges and establishes the Supreme Court as the highest court. Article 3 defines the terms of and payments of judges, in both the Supreme Court and lower courts. It also covers appeals and guarantees trial by jury in criminal court. The crime of treason is addressed in Article 3 that includes the definition, trials and punishment for treason. It makes it clear that the crime of treason must not extend to punishing the family or heirs or taking the property of the traitor. Articles of the Constitution Summary: Summary of Article 4 - Full Faith and Credit Articles Summary: Article 4 of the US Constitution summarizes the duties that individual states have to each other, as well as those the federal government has to the states. Article IV ensures the recognition of legislative acts, public records, and judicial decisions of the other states within the US. It also prevents people from moving to another state to escape enforcement of a judgment. The purpose of the Founding Fathers was to to unify their new country whilst preserving the self-government of the states. Article 4 also says that the form of government will be based on Republicanism, meaning that supreme power rests with citizens who are entitled to vote and exercised by representatives they have elected. Articles of the Constitution Summary: Summary of Article 5 - Constitutional Amendments Articles Summary: Article 5 of the US Constitution states that the US Constitution can be changed. Amendments (changes or addition) have to be passed by a two-thirds majority in both houses of the legislature. The amendment must then be ratified by three-fourths of states. and then by the states. Alternative procedures are also provided, but these are rarely used. Articles of the Constitution Summary: Summary of Article 6 - Supremacy, Debts and Oaths Articles Summary: Article 6 of the document deals with Supremacy, Debts and Oaths. It establishes the Constitution as the supreme law of the US. and that Public officials must take an oath to support it. It also authorizes the national debt, meaning that Congress can borrow money. Articles of the Constitution Summary: Summary of Article 7 - Ratification of the US Constitution Articles Summary: Article 7 of the US Constitution deals with Ratification of the US Constitution. It states that when 9 states approve of the Constitution in their conventions, then the Constitution shall be set up as the government for the states that have ratified (approved) it. |