Laura Butcher

History 1700
October 28, 2015

Governmental Structure of the United States

The Constitution is one of the main documents that outlines American Government and
policies. Aside from the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution is the number one
document that Americans draw all their political ideals and bases from while formulating new
laws and deciding what it right or wrong within governmental standings. The Constitution
consists of several Articles I-VII and several Amendments, each section with a specific purpose
and topic. The first few articles address the very foundations of the American government and
the rules and regulations set out by the people of the Union. Article I, Article II, and Article III,
address the Legislative Branch, Executive Branch and the Judicial Branch. In studying and
reading these first three articles one can learn about the American Government and how it is run,
despite the somewhat confusing words.
Article I; The Legislative Branch, this article give the basic run down of how the Legislation
of America is constructed and what the rules and regulations are for this branch. Article I states,
All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which
shall consist of the Senate and House of Representatives (Adler & Elmhorst A-5). In essence
the legislative power of the United States will be held by the Congress that is made up of the
Senate and the House of Representatives. The Representatives of the House of Representatives
and the Senate will be chosen for each State by winning vote every two years. The number of
representatives per state is based on numeral rates of population in each coinciding state.
According to the laws laid out in the Constitution, The number of Representatives shall not
exceed one for every thirty thousand, but each state shall have at least one representative; until
such numeration shall be made (Adler & Elmhorst A-5). The legislative branch has many rules
and regulation regarding the dates that they can meet or adjourn and the requirements to become
a senator or represented. Apparently if one desires to become a Senator there are a few things
they should know, No person shall be a senator who shall not have attained to the age of thirty
years, and been nine years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an
inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen (Adler & Elmhorst A-5). The legislative
branch has the power to regulate commerce, organize, arm and discipline the militia and the sole
power to try all impeachments, along with many other duties. The article also addresses the fact
that any laws or bill passed by congress must be presented to the President for approval. (Adler
& Elmhorst A-6).

Article II; The Executive Branch, essentially the Executive Branch consists of the President
and the Vise President, 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 (Adler & Elmhorst A-8). Sates choose a select
group of representatives to run for President, they cannot however currently be holding an office
position or part of the Senate or Representative offices. In order to be eligible for President one
must, No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of
the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any
person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and
been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States (Adler & Elmhorst A-8). The president
may receive compensation for his service and must take an Oath of Affirmation before he enters
Office. He is the Commander in Chief of the United States Army and Navy and has the power to
grant pardons and Reprieves excluding impeachment. If the President is removed from office
due to impeachment, death or resignation the next in line would be the Vice President. In order to
keep the any one man from having too much power Congress has the ability to remove the
President or Vice President, The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United
States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery,
or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors (Adler & Elmhorst A-9). In essence no one is safe
from the consequences of their crimes not even the president.
Article III; The Judicial Branch, essentially the justice system, 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 (Adler & Elmhorst A-9). The court system is in
charge of ensuring equality and justice for all inhabitants of the U.S. The courts will rule over,
Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and
Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority and to all Cases affecting
Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls or state to state and state to citizen disputes
(Adler & Elmhorst A-9-10). Each case will be held in the state where the crimes took place and
will be done by jury, excluding impeachment which is the jurisdiction of Congress. In the event
of treason, No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses
to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court (Adler & Elmhorst A-10). It is
considered treason when one commits an act or war or is aiding enemies of the US. When
treason has be established has the outcome of a ruling congress is the one responsible for
determining the punishment of such acts. Article III like the articles before it is a simple layout of
the justice system how it works, and what the rules and regulations are in each case and trial.
The first 3 articles of the Constitution or a basic layout out of American Legislation,
Executive and Judicial Branches of the government system. Each section explains the purpose of
each branch and the power they hold for their assigned tasks. The constitution has had many
Amendments added to better explain certain laws or add to current ones ideas that had been left
out. The government is always adding and updating the constitution as times and ideals change
but the basic structure and foundation stay the same.