What is article IV of the Constitution called?

Asked by: Torrance Brown  |  Last update: February 8, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (40 votes)

Article IV of the U.S. Constitution is known as the "States' Relations Article" or the "Relations Between the States" article, establishing rules for how states interact with each other and with the federal government, covering topics like "Full Faith and Credit" (Article IV, Section 1) (requiring states to respect other states' public acts and records) and the Guarantee Clause (guaranteeing a republican government for each state).

What is the Article 4 of the Constitution called?

The Guarantee Clause mandates that the United States guarantee that all states have a "republican form of government," though it does not define this term. Article Four also requires the United States to protect each state from invasion, and, at the request of a state, from "domestic violence."

What is article VI of the Constitution called?

Established under Article VI, Paragraph 2 of the U.S. Constitution, the Supremacy Clause enables the federal government to enforce treaties, create a central bank, and enact legislation without interference from the states.

What does article IV of the Constitution explain?

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.

What is article 4 in simple terms?

Article 4 of the U.S. Constitution in simple terms means states must respect each other's laws and citizens (Full Faith & Credit, Privileges & Immunities), how new states join the Union, and that the federal government guarantees a republican government and protects states from invasion and violence, ensuring unity and fair dealings among states.
 

What is the Purpose of Article IV? [No. 86]

19 related questions found

What is Article 4 in one word?

What does Article 4 mean in simple terms? In simple terms, Article 4 of Indian Constitution means that changes to state boundaries or the creation of new states, when done by Parliament, can also include adjustments to the Constitution itself without the need for a formal constitutional amendment process.

What is article V called?

The other, untested way laid out in Article V is for two-thirds of state legislatures (or 34) to force Congress to call a constitutional convention, also known as an “Article V convention,” to add amendments to the Constitution once they are ratified by three- fourths of the states.

Does federal law trump state law?

This would make the states superior to the federal government. The Court found that this would be inconsistent with the Supremacy Clause, which makes federal law superior to state law.

What is the meaning of article vi?

It defines the Constitution itself, federal law made pursuant to it, and treaties to which the United States is a party, as the supreme law of the land, taking precedence over state laws and constitutions in cases of conflict. Moreover, it requires that state judges interpret the law accordingly.

What is the Article 4 for dummies?

Article 4 of the U.S. Constitution in simple terms means states must respect each other's laws and citizens (Full Faith & Credit, Privileges & Immunities), how new states join the Union, and that the federal government guarantees a republican government and protects states from invasion and violence, ensuring unity and fair dealings among states.
 

Who enforces Article 4?

The Articles of Confederation had contained a similar reference, but the Constitution went a step further and granted Congress the power to enact legislation to implement and enforce the “full faith and credit” provision.

What is article 4 simplified?

Article 4 of the U.S. Constitution in simple terms means states must respect each other's laws and citizens (Full Faith & Credit, Privileges & Immunities), how new states join the Union, and that the federal government guarantees a republican government and protects states from invasion and violence, ensuring unity and fair dealings among states.
 

What does article VI prohibit?

After requiring all federal and state legislators and officers to swear or affirm to support the federal Constitution, Article VI specifies that “no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.” This prohibition, commonly known as the No Religious Test ...

What did article VI establish?

Article III of the Constitution establishes the federal judiciary. Article III, Section I states that "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."

Can a president change the Constitution?

The Constitution does not give a president the power to violate the Constitution, create or change congressional statutes, or override U.S. Supreme Court decisions—no matter what the EOs say.

Can the Supreme Court overrule state law?

In other words, when the Supreme Court (the highest court of the United States) interprets the Constitution or a federal law, that interpretation becomes part of the supreme law of the land, overriding any conflicting state legislative acts.

Can a state law violate the Constitution?

State or local laws held to be preempted by federal law are void not because they contravene any provision of the Constitution, but rather because they conflict with a federal statute or treaty, and through operation of the Supremacy Clause.

What is the Article VI Supremacy Clause?

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 ...

What exactly is article 5?

"Article 5" most commonly refers to two significant international and national concepts: the NATO collective defense clause, stating an attack on one member is an attack on all, and Article V of the U.S. Constitution, detailing the process for amending the Constitution. NATO's Article 5 was invoked after 9/11, while the U.S. Constitution's Article V outlines how amendments are proposed (by two-thirds Congress or state legislatures) and ratified (by three-fourths of states).
 

What is the Godel loophole?

In his 2012 paper "Gödel's Loophole", F. E. Guerra-Pujol speculates that the loophole is that Article V's procedures can be applied to Article V itself. It can therefore be altered in a "downward" direction, making it easier to alter the article again in the future.

When can you not plead the fifth?

You generally can't plead the Fifth when the requested evidence isn't testimonial (like fingerprints or DNA), if you've already received immunity, when the case is solely civil without criminal implications (though an "adverse inference" can be drawn), for corporate records, or if the information sought doesn't risk self-incrimination. The protection only applies to compelled, communicative acts that could link you to a future criminal charge, not to non-testimonial acts or past, already-resolved matters.
 

What is article 4 for dummies?

Article 4 of the United States Constitution outlines the relationships between the states and the Federal government. It grants a set of rights and obligations to each state and sets up the framework within which each state will interact with other states and with the Federal Government.

Why is article 4 important today?

Impact of Article 4

It has helped create a sense of national unity and reciprocity between the states. The Full Faith and Credit clause has been significant in protecting individual's legal rights, in cases such as same-sex marriage recognition across different states.

What is the primary purpose of article IV of the US Constitution?

Article IV addresses something different: the states' relations with each other, sometimes called “horizontal federalism.” Its first section, the Full Faith and Credit Clause, requires every state, as part of a single nation, to give a certain measure of respect to every other state's laws and institutions.

What is the Article 6 law?

Article 6 protects your right to a fair trial. It also ensures you have access to the courts and gives you the right to bring a civil case. Article 6 doesn't give you an automatic right to free legal representation in civil cases.