United States Constitution 101

This guide helps explain the articles and amendments of the US Constitution

Article 1 – Article 1 establishes the legislative branch and states the make up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. It establishes the procedure for elections, meetings and the passing of laws. Additionally, it lists all of the powers expressly given and denied to Congress as well as the powers denied to the states. The three-fifths compromise, which established a system for counting all slaves as three-fifths of a person, can also be found in Article 1 although it is no longer valid.

Necessary and Proper Clause – The Necessary and Proper Clause, also referred to as the elastic clause, grants Congress the power to make all laws ‘necessary and proper’ in order to carry out the governments duties. 

Commerce Clause – The Commerce Clause gives congress the power to regulate commerce among the state.

Spending Clause – The spending clause grants Congress the power to tax to raise money for the general welfare.

Article 2 – Article 2 establishes the executive branch, and contains details regarding term length, elections, qualifications of the president and vice-president, presidential power, and presidential duties. Additionally, it establishes the Electoral College system by requiring each state to appoint electors to vote for president.

Article 3 – Article 3 establishes the Judicial Branch and includes the jurisdiction of federal courts. It also defines treason.

Article 4 – Article 4 deals with the relations among the states and includes information on federal protection for states.

   Full Faith and Credit Clause – The Full Faith and Credit clause requires states to honor official acts of other states, such as marriage, legal status, law enforcement, collection of fines, etc.

Article 5 – Article five covers the process required to amend the Constitution.

Article 6 – Article six discusses public debts and oaths of office, but is primarily known for its declaration of national law as highest in the country.

Supremacy Clause – The Supremacy Clause states that all laws passed by Congress and all US treaties have superiority over the laws of local and state governments.

Article 7 – Article 7 includes the process required to ratify an article.

The 27 Amendments of the Constitution

Bill of Rights (Amendments 1-10)

1^st Amendment – The first amendment guarantees freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

2^nd Amendment – The second amendment establishes the right to bear arms.

3^rd Amendment – The third amendment places a restriction on the quartering of troops.

4^th Amendment – The fourth amendment protects against illegal search and seizure.

5^th Amendment – The fifth amendment protects the rights of the accused and guarantees due process.

6^th Amendment – The sixth amendment establishes the right to a fair and speedy trial.

7^th Amendment – The seventh amendment covers a citizen’s rights during a civil suit.

8^th Amendment – The eighth amendment prohibits excessive bail as well as cruel and unusual punishment.

9^th Amendment – The ninth amendment prohibits the interpretation of the Constitution in a manner that would deny enumerated rights to the people.

10^th Amendment – The tenth amendment reserves all powers not expressly listed or prohibited to either the states or the people.

The Other 17 Amendments

11^th Amendment – The eleventh amendment repealed part of Article III and prohibited the hearing of suits against states by a resident or state in federal courts.

12^th Amendment – The twelfth amendment requires the president and vice-president to run together.

13^th Amendment – The thirteenth amendment abolishes slavery.

14^th Amendment – The fourteenth amendment defines the rights of citizens and requires African Americans to be fully counted as citizens. It sets up the punishment for leaders of the Confederacy and resolves other issues regarding the Civil War. It promises equal protection under law.

15^th Amendment – The fifteenth amendment extends the right to vote to individuals regardless of race, color, or servitude.

NOTE: Together, the 13^th, 14^th and 15^th amendments are referred to as ‘the civil war amendments.’

16^th Amendment – The sixteenth amendment gives the federal government the right to tax income.

17^th Amendment – The seventeenth amendment requires the direct election of senators, effectively replacing Article I, Section 3.

18^th Amendment – The eighteenth amendment prohibits alcohol (referred to as prohibition) but was repealed by amendment 21.

19^th Amendment – The nineteenth amendment grants women the right to vote.

20^th Amendment – The twentieth amendment (known as the “Lame Duck” Amendment) shortens the time between the defeat of an official and the new term of office.

21^st Amendment – The twenty-first amendment repeals the eighteenth amendment.

22^nd Amendment – The twenty-second amendment limits the president to two terms if elected.

23^rd Amendment – The twenty-third amendment grants three presidential electors to the District of Columbia.

24^th Amendment – The twenty-fourth amendment eliminates poll tax for federal elections.  

25^th Amendment – The twenty-fifth amendment provides presidential disability and allows for succession if the president becomes unable to perform his (or her) duties.

26^th Amendment – The twenty-sixth amendment extends the right to vote to citizens age eighteen and up.

27^th Amendment – The twenty-seventh amendment restricts the ability of Congress to raise its own salary.

Even for a citizen active in the United States democratic process, it can be difficult to recall even the most general details about the Constitution. The next time you need a quick Constitution guide, you’ll know where to go.