U.S. Constitution Article IV. States’ Relations
Article IV of the U.S. Constitution is titled “The States’ Relations”, and it establishes the legal and political relationship among the states, and between each state and the federal government.
Here is a breakdown of its Sections 1 to 4:
Article IV – The States’ Relations
Section 1 – Full Faith and Credit
“Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.”
✅ This clause ensures that each state respects the laws, court decisions, and records of other states. For example, a marriage legally performed in one state must be recognized in all others.
Section 2 – Privileges and Immunities; Extradition; Fugitive Slaves
Privileges and Immunities Clause
“The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.”
✅ Prevents a state from treating citizens of other states in a discriminatory manner.
Extradition Clause
“A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up…”
Fugitive Slave Clause (Now obsolete due to the 13th Amendment)
“No Person held to Service or Labour in one State… shall be discharged from such Service or Labour…”
Section 3 – Admission of New States; Federal Property
Admission of New States
Congress has the power to admit new states into the Union. However, no new state can be formed within the jurisdiction of another state, or by merging states, without consent.
Territorial Clause
Congress has authority over all U.S. territories and federal properties.
Section 4 – Guarantee Clause
“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… against domestic Violence.”
✅ This section promises that the federal government will ensure democratic governance in each state and protect them from invasion and internal disorder (like rebellions or riots).
RELATED Blog
0 comments