Eleanor Finch
The Constitution of the United States of America is the supreme law of the land in the United States, with the preamble setting the stage for the document. The preamble outlines the intentions of the framers and the purpose of the document, with the goals and responsibilities stated acting as a job description for governing. The goals expressed in the preamble include establishing justice, ensuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common defense, promoting the general welfare, and securing the blessings of liberty. While the Constitution has been successful in creating a government with enough power to act on a national level, there are ongoing debates about the limits and expansions of liberty, and the extent to which the goals of the preamble have been achieved.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Forming a more perfect Union | Achieved, but threatened by the Civil War from 1861-1865, and currently by political polarization. |
| Establishing Justice | Partially achieved, with struggles in minority communities, particularly the African American community. |
| Insuring domestic Tranquility | Partially achieved, with widespread discrimination against freed slaves after the Civil War, and current political divisions. |
| Providing for the common defense | Achieved. |
| Promoting the general Welfare | Achieved. |
| Securing the Blessings of Liberty | Partially achieved, with a history of upholding and limiting liberties. |
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What You'll Learn
Establishing justice
The preamble to the US Constitution outlines the intentions of its framers and the purpose of the document. The first of the five objectives outlined in the 52-word paragraph is "establish Justice".
The Constitution was drafted to create a government with enough power to act on a national level, but without so much power that fundamental rights would be at risk. To achieve this, the framers separated the power of the government into three branches, with checks and balances to ensure no one branch gained supremacy.
The preamble's promise to "establish Justice" has been elusive, particularly for minority communities in the United States. There are ongoing struggles within the African American community to address issues such as police brutality, unfair and inefficient judicial procedures, gang violence, and systemic racism. These issues present societal and institutional obstacles to achieving equal justice for all Americans.
The symbol of justice in the US system of government is a blindfolded woman balancing the scales of justice, suggesting that every American will have the right to be treated equally, have their complaints heard in a court of law without prejudice, and be punished fairly if convicted. However, in practice, liberty and justice have often been limited. For example, the right to access abortion procedures has been restricted in some states, and the country's history includes a bloody Civil War over slavery and states' rights.
Despite these challenges, Americans have consistently demanded freedom and resisted limitations imposed by the government. The preamble's goal of establishing justice remains a core value that the Constitution strives to achieve, along with democratic government, effective governance, freedom, and equality.
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Insuring domestic tranquility
The US Constitution was drafted in 1787, in response to the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation, which had established a "firm league of friendship" between the states, but had left the central government weak and ineffectual. The Constitution aimed to create a government with enough power to act on a national level, while also protecting fundamental rights.
One of the key objectives outlined in the Preamble to the Constitution is to "insure domestic Tranquility". This phrase refers to the peace and quiet of the nation, and the absence of riots, rebellions, and other forms of social disorder. The Framers were greatly concerned with domestic tranquility, as social disorder had become an increasingly common issue in the new states, threatening political stability.
Today, laws enacted by Congress that promote domestic tranquility include those dealing with terrorism, providing the government with the capacity to enforce laws and keep the peace, providing for national security, and protecting peaceful assemblies and demonstrations. These laws enable the government to maintain order and resolve conflicts, thereby promoting tranquility within the nation.
However, it is important to note that the Preamble, while setting the stage for the Constitution, is not the law itself. It serves as an introduction and communicates the intentions and purpose of the document, but does not define government powers or individual rights. The actual achievement of domestic tranquility is dependent on the implementation and enforcement of the laws and principles outlined in the Constitution.
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Providing for the common defence
Congress has passed numerous bills that prioritise the safety and security of the American people, including the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which restores fiscal discipline to the Defence Department while ensuring that the fighting forces have the resources they need. The NDAA also maintains security gains as military action winds down in Afghanistan, and supports counter-IED funding for ground troops.
The US Constitution also preserves the Constitutional rights of its citizens, as seen with the inclusion of the Right to Habeas Corpus Act, which ensures that every citizen will have their day in court.
To uphold their responsibility for common defence, Congress must ensure that the military has the necessary resources, and that troops are provided with the required resources, care, and pay raises.
In summary, providing for the common defence remains a crucial mandate for Congress, and they continue to pass legislation aimed at strengthening national security and supporting the military, while also protecting the rights of citizens.
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Promoting the general welfare
The Preamble to the US Constitution sets out the aspirations that "We the People" have for our government and our way of life as a nation. The Preamble is an introduction to the highest law of the land, but it does not define government powers or individual rights. The national government's powers are specified in Article I and other provisions of the Constitution, not in the Preamble.
"Promoting the general welfare" is one of the six objectives outlined in the Preamble. The other five are "establish Justice," "insure domestic Tranquility," "provide for the common defence," "secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity," and "form a more perfect Union."
The goal of promoting the general welfare means creating a government that will meet the needs of the people. This includes ensuring that fundamental rights are protected and that the government has enough power to act on a national level. The Constitution separates the power of the government into three branches and includes checks and balances on those powers to assure that no one branch gains too much power. This separation of powers is designed to protect the rights of citizens while also allowing the government to function effectively.
However, there have been debates over the limits and expansions of liberty in society. For example, while the freedom to burn the flag has been upheld as a right under the First Amendment, the right to access abortion procedures has been restricted in some states. Additionally, there are regular struggles within minority communities, particularly the African American community, to address issues such as police brutality, unfair judicial procedures, gang violence, and systemic racism. These issues highlight the ongoing challenges in promoting the general welfare and ensuring that all citizens are treated equally and have their needs met by the government.
Overall, while the Constitution provides a framework for promoting the general welfare, it is up to the government to implement policies and take actions that uphold the values and aspirations set forth in the Preamble.
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Securing liberty
The preamble to the US Constitution, which begins with the famous words "We the People", sets out the aspirations and core values that the document exists to achieve. One of the key goals expressed in the preamble is to "secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity".
The interpretation of liberty has been a subject of debate throughout US history, with Americans demanding freedom from government decree or action. The protection of liberty has often been a balancing act, with some liberties being upheld, such as the freedom to burn the flag, while others have been restricted, such as access to abortion procedures. Despite these debates and limitations, freedom remains the inevitable goal.
The Constitution's structure of government, with its separation of powers and checks and balances, was designed to ensure liberty by preventing any one branch from gaining too much power and infringing on fundamental rights. This structure was a response to the experiences of the delegates with the King of England and his powerful Parliament.
The Bill of Rights, which includes rights considered fundamental to America, such as freedom of speech and freedom of religion, further secures liberty by providing important limitations on the government and protecting the rights of citizens. The Supreme Court has also interpreted equality as an implicit and inherent part of liberty, despite it not being explicitly mentioned in the Preamble.
While the US Constitution has made significant strides towards securing liberty, there are still ongoing struggles to address issues such as police brutality, unfair judicial procedures, systemic racism, and political polarization, which impact the realization of liberty and justice for all Americans.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution is the supreme law of the land in the United States. It is a written text that serves as the fundamental law of the country, outlining the structure and procedure of the government.
The goals of the Constitution, as stated in the Preamble, include establishing justice, ensuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common defence, promoting the general welfare, and securing the blessings of liberty for all Americans. These goals were intended to create a democratic government that would meet the needs of the people and protect their fundamental rights.
While the Constitution has established a system of justice, there are still instances of injustice and delays in justice, particularly within minority communities. Issues such as police brutality, unfair judicial procedures, and systemic racism continue to be societal and institutional obstacles to achieving true justice for all.
The United States has experienced several periods of domestic unrest, including the Civil War from 1861-1865, which threatened the goal of a "perfect Union." Today, the country remains divided over issues such as abortion, gun control, LGBTQ rights, and racial equity, highlighting the ongoing struggle to achieve domestic tranquility.
The United States has a complex history when it comes to securing liberty for all its citizens. While some liberties, such as the freedom to burn the flag, have been upheld, there have also been limitations on certain freedoms, such as access to abortion. The interpretation and expansion of liberty remain subjects of ongoing debate.
