A constitution is a legally binding document that outlines a government’s basic structure.

The
Constitution of the United States of America was the first document of this kind. It has stood the test of
time and served as a model for the constitutions of many other countries all over the world.

Understanding the Constitution is the foundation to making sense of U.S. politics. This map is meant to
walk you through this inspired document, gaining a better understanding of the governmental structure
that the Founding Fathers created. If the language is difficult, or you don’t understand everything you
read, don’t get stressed! Take your time, look up words you don’t know, and ask for help. You can use a
hard copy of the Constitution, or you can access an online version of the Constitution.

PREAMBLE
Begin by reading the Preamble. Why did the Founders ordain and establish the Constitution?

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ARTICLE I
Next, read Article 1. Begin with sections 1-3. Answer the questions below. Rely on the original text, not
the amendments.

Legislative Powers Are Invested In:

House of Representatives
How are representatives chosen? How often?

What are the qualifications for a representative?

How many representatives does each state receive?

Senate

How are senators chosen? How often?

What are the qualifications for a senator?

How many senators does each state receive?

What is the Vice President’s role in the Senate?

What is the Senate’s role in impeachment? What is the result of impeachment?

amendments.

How are senators and representatives elected?

Where do bills for revenue have to originate?

How does a bill become law?

Continue reading Article I, sections 8 and answer the question below:

List six Congressional powers that are specifically enumerated by Congress.

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts
and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts
and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;

To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

To establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies
throughout the United States;

To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and
Measures;
To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;

ARTICLE II
Now read Article II, sections 1-4. Answer the following questions. Rely on the original text, not
amendments.

Who holds the executive power?

How long is a presidential term?

How and when is the President elected?

What are the qualifications to be President?

What happens if there is a presidential vacancy?

When can the President be removed from office?

List three constitutional powers, or duties, of the President?

ARTICLE III
Now read Article III, sections 1-3. Answer the following questions. Rely on the original text, not
amendments.

Who holds the judicial power?

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.

How are inferior courts established?

It established and ordained by the Congress time to time.

How long do judges hold their office?

The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour.
Judges may hold their position for the rest of their lives, but many resign or retire earlier.

Article IV

What are states required to do in order to show respect for the sovereignty of other
states? What are the rules for adding new states to the union?

No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into

another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such

Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service

or Labour may be due.

New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be

formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by

the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the

Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.

What does the federal government guarantee and provide for each state?

The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a

Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against

Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive

(when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.

Article V

How can the Constitution be amended?

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments
to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call
a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes,
as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by
Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by
the Congress.

Article VI
What are states “bound” to follow?

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all
Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme
Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or
Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.

Article VII

How many states had to ratify the Constitution for it to go into effect?

AMENDMENTS

Read the Bill of Rights, amendments I-X. Then match the Amendments on the left with the appropriate
rights from the list on the right. Place the letter of the matching right(s) in the center column.

Amendment Matching letter(s) of Rights

right(s)

Amendment I [place matching letter(s) of A. Protection against

the Rights from the right government takings
column here]

Amendment II B. Right to due process

Amendment III C. Freedom of the press

Amendment IV D. Non-delegated powers

retained by states or people

Amendment V E. Right to trial by jury in civil

cases

Amendment VI F. Protection against excessive

bail and excessive fines

Amendment VII G. Protection against double

jeopardy

Amendment VIII H. Right to bear arms

Amendment IX I. Protection against quartering

 of soldier

Amendment X J. Right to petition

K. Non-enumerated rights
retained by people

L. Protection against unlawful

searches and seizures

M. Right to know nature of

accusation

N. Freedom of speech

O. Right to be confronted with

and to obtain witnesses

P. Freedom of assembly

Q. Protection against self-

incrimination

R. Right to assistance of counsel

S. Protection against cruel and

unusual punishment

T. Freedom of religion

U. Right to a grand jury

V. Right to a speedy and public

trial by jury in criminal cases