OUR U.S. CONSTITUTION

Category: Constitution Articles

Articles and educational resources about the U.S. Constitution.

  • Article III — The Judicial Branch

    Historical source: National Archives, Constitution of the United States: A Transcription. Original wording is distinguished from explanatory notes below.

    Article III establishes the federal judiciary, including one Supreme Court and any lower federal courts Congress creates. It defines the reach of federal judicial power and sets constitutional rules for criminal trials and treason.

    Original text — Section 1

    The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.

    Read the complete original Article III

    For the full original wording of all three sections, read the National Archives’ official Constitution transcription.

    Amendments and historical provisions

    The Eleventh Amendment altered the scope of federal judicial power over certain suits against states. The original language of Article III remains an essential historical reference, but must be read together with subsequent amendments.

    Primary source: Read the Constitution at the National Archives.

  • Article II — The Executive Branch

    Historical source: National Archives, Constitution of the United States: A Transcription. Original wording is distinguished from explanatory notes below.

    Article II creates the executive branch and the office of President of the United States. It covers presidential selection and eligibility, the oath of office, executive powers, and removal from office.

    Original text — opening of Section 1

    The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows

    Read the complete original Article II

    For the full original wording of all four sections, read the National Archives’ official Constitution transcription.

    Amendments and historical provisions

    The Twelfth Amendment revised the original presidential and vice-presidential electoral voting procedure. The Twentieth and Twenty-Fifth Amendments address terms, succession, and presidential inability. The Twenty-Second Amendment limits election to the presidency. Those later amendments should be read alongside the original Article II.

    Primary source: Read the Constitution at the National Archives.

  • Article I — The Legislative Branch

    Historical source: National Archives, Constitution of the United States: A Transcription. Original wording is distinguished from explanatory notes below.

    Article I establishes the legislative branch of the federal government: the House of Representatives and the Senate. It explains how Congress is organized, how laws are made, which powers Congress may exercise, and which limits apply to Congress and the states.

    Original text — Section 1

    All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

    Read the complete original Article I

    Article I contains ten sections. For the full original wording of all ten sections, including the original spelling and punctuation, read the National Archives’ official Constitution transcription.

    Amendments and historical provisions

    Some provisions of Article I were later changed or superseded. The Fourteenth Amendment replaced the original three-fifths apportionment formula; the Seventeenth Amendment established popular election of U.S. senators; the Twentieth Amendment changed when Congress meets; and the Sixteenth Amendment clarified congressional authority to tax incomes. The original wording is preserved as history, not presented as the current rule where an amendment has changed it.

    Primary source: Read the Constitution at the National Archives.

  • The Preamble to the U.S. Constitution

    Historical source: National Archives, Constitution of the United States: A Transcription. Original wording is distinguished from explanatory notes below.

    The Preamble introduces the Constitution and states the purposes for which the people established the federal government.

    Original text of the Preamble

    We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

    What it means

    The Preamble sets out six broad goals: a stronger union, justice, domestic peace, common defense, general welfare, and liberty for present and future generations. It introduces the Constitution but does not itself enumerate the government’s powers.

    Primary source: Read the Constitution at the National Archives.

  • Why the constitution is important to us all

    Particularly through its amendments, the Constitution guarantees every American fundamental rights and protection of life, liberty, and property. Our Constitution created an effective national government, one that balances expansive powers with specific limits.