* States purpose for creating document
* States goals and principles of new government
* Establishes the Constitution as the supreme law of the land
Article I: The Legislative Branch
* Establishes the bicameral legislature, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives
* Defines the powers and responsibilities of each chamber, including the power to make laws, declare war, and impeach officials
* Sets forth the qualifications for members of Congress and the process for their election
Article II: The Executive Branch
* Establishes the presidency and defines the powers and responsibilities of the president, including the power to execute laws, command the armed forces, and make treaties
* Sets forth the qualifications for president and the process for his or her election
* Creates the office of vice president and defines the vice president's role
Article III: The Judicial Branch
* Establishes the Supreme Court and defines the powers and responsibilities of the judicial branch, including the power to interpret laws and declare them unconstitutional
* Sets forth the qualifications for Supreme Court justices and the process for their appointment
Article IV: The States
* Defines the relationship between the federal government and the states, including the powers that are reserved to the states
* Guarantees certain rights to states, including the right to a republican form of government and the right to be protected from invasion and domestic violence
Article V: The Amendment Process
* Establishes the process for amending the Constitution, which requires a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the states
Article VI: Supremacy Clause
* States that the Constitution and federal laws are the supreme law of the land, and that any state laws that conflict with federal laws are invalid
Article VII: Ratification
* Sets forth the process for ratifying the Constitution, which required the approval of at least nine of the thirteen states