Jonah Patel
The Preamble to the United States Constitution, beginning with the words We the People, is an introductory statement of the Constitution's fundamental purposes and principles. The Preamble, consisting of 52 words, was drafted in six weeks during the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia. It sets out the aspirations that We the People have for their government and way of life as a nation. The Preamble does not assign powers to the federal government or provide limitations on government action; instead, it communicates the intentions of the framers and the purpose of the document.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of sentences | 1 |
| Number of words | 52 |
| First three words | We the People |
| Number of drafts | Multiple |
| Main drafter | Gouverneur Morris |
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What You'll Learn
The preamble to the US Constitution
The Preamble begins with the words, "We the People of the United States", and outlines six aspirations that "We the People" have for their government and way of life as a nation. These aspirations are:
- To form a more perfect Union
- Establish Justice
- Insure domestic Tranquility
- Provide for the common defence
- Promote the general Welfare
- Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity
These aspirations are followed by an affirmation: "do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
The Preamble has been referred to by courts as reliable evidence of the Founding Fathers' intentions regarding the Constitution's meaning and what they hoped to achieve. It is important to note that the initial wording of the preamble referred to the people of the various states, which was the norm at the time. However, the change to "the people of the United States" was necessary as the Constitution provided that it would go into effect for any nine states that gave their approval, regardless of the remaining states' ratification.
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The intentions of the framers
The Preamble to the United States Constitution, which begins with the words "We the People", is a concise introductory statement outlining the Constitution's fundamental goals and guiding principles. It was drafted in six weeks during the hot Philadelphia summer of 1787, mainly by Gouverneur Morris, a Pennsylvania delegate to the Constitutional Convention.
The Preamble explicitly expresses the intentions of the framers and the purpose of the document. It is not the law itself, nor does it assign powers to the federal government or outline specific limitations on government actions. Instead, it serves as an introduction to the highest law of the land, setting the stage for the Constitution and providing context for its interpretation.
The framers of the Preamble intended to establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty for themselves and their posterity. These objectives reflect the aspirations of "We the People" for their government and way of life as a nation. The use of "We the People" marked a departure from earlier documents, which referred to the people of various states, indicating a shift towards a more unified nation.
The Founding Fathers' intentions were to create a more perfect union, addressing the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation and moving towards a stronger federal government. They sought to establish a system that would protect individual freedoms, ensure domestic peace, and provide for the common defence of the nation. The Preamble's reference to "promoting the general Welfare" also highlights the framers' concern for the well-being of the people, as seen in cases like Ellis v. City of Grand Rapids, where the court interpreted the Constitution in light of modern circumstances, emphasising the importance of healthcare as a public service.
Additionally, the framers intended the Preamble to serve as a guide for interpreting the Constitution. Courts have referred to it as reliable evidence of the Founding Fathers' intentions and what they hoped to achieve. It provides insight into the historical context, intent, and meaning of the Constitution as understood by its authors. This helps ensure that the Constitution is interpreted in a way that aligns with the framers' original vision while also considering the changed circumstances of modern society.
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The preamble is not law
The preamble to the United States Constitution is a concise introductory statement outlining the Constitution's fundamental purposes and guiding principles. It is not a law in itself, but rather an expression of the intentions and aspirations of its framers. The preamble was drafted in six weeks during the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia by Gouverneur Morris, a Pennsylvania delegate to the Constitutional Convention.
The preamble sets the stage for the Constitution, providing context and outlining the objectives of the document. It begins with the words, "We the People of the United States," emphasising the idea that the Constitution derives its authority from the people. This phrase has been interpreted as affirming the sovereignty of the national government established by the Constitution and its authority over the states.
While the preamble is not a law, it has been used by courts as evidence of the Founding Fathers' intentions and the historical context in which the Constitution was created. Courts have referred to the preamble to understand the meaning and interpretation of the Constitution, particularly in cases involving federal supremacy, state nullification, and the scope of individual freedoms.
Additionally, the preamble has been used to confirm the geographic scope of the Constitution's applicability, asserting that it was made for and is binding only in the United States of America. This clarification is significant, especially in the context of international relations, where the Supreme Court has held that the United States consists of a single sovereign nation with respect to foreign affairs.
In conclusion, while the preamble to the Constitution is not a law in itself, it serves as a crucial foundation for interpreting the Constitution and understanding the intentions and aspirations of its framers. It guides the implementation and enforcement of the laws outlined in the Constitution and continues to shape the national dialogue on governance and the American system of government.
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The preamble's 5 objectives
The Preamble to the United States Constitution is an introductory statement that outlines the fundamental purposes and guiding principles of the Constitution. It was drafted in six weeks during the summer of 1787 and consists of 52 words, forming five key objectives. These objectives are:
- To form a more perfect Union: The preamble begins with "We the People of the United States", indicating the unity and collective endeavour of the nation. It reflects the aspiration to form a stronger and more unified nation, bringing together the people of the various states under a single constitution.
- Establish Justice: This is the first of the five objectives mentioned in the Preamble. It highlights the importance of creating a fair and just society, where laws are applied equally to all citizens.
- Insure domestic Tranquility: The Preamble aims to promote peace and order within the nation, ensuring a stable and harmonious environment for its citizens.
- Provide for the common defence: By establishing a unified nation, the Preamble seeks to strengthen the country's ability to defend itself against external threats and ensure the safety of its citizens.
- Promote the general Welfare and secure the Blessings of Liberty: These final objectives emphasise the importance of ensuring the well-being and freedom of the people. It recognises that the government should work for the benefit of all citizens and protect their liberties for generations to come.
These five objectives, outlined in the Preamble, set the tone and direction for the rest of the Constitution, providing a foundation for the highest law of the land.
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The preamble's evolution
The Preamble to the United States Constitution, starting with the words "We, the People", is an introductory statement of the Constitution's fundamental purposes and guiding principles. The preamble was mainly written by Gouverneur Morris, a Pennsylvania delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention held in Philadelphia. The Preamble was placed in the Constitution during the last days of the convention by the Committee on Style, which wrote its final draft.
The Preamble sets the stage for the Constitution and communicates the intentions of its framers. It is not a law and does not define government powers or individual rights. Instead, it outlines the aspirations that "We the People" have for the government and the nation. The Preamble's evolution reflects the changing circumstances and interpretations of the Constitution over time.
Initially, the Preamble did not refer to the people of the United States as a whole. Instead, it referred to the people of the various states, which was the norm in earlier documents such as the 1778 Treaty of Alliance with France and the Articles of Confederation. The change to "We the People of the United States" was made out of necessity, as the Constitution provided that it would go into effect for any nine states that gave their approval, regardless of the remaining states' decisions.
Courts have referred to the Preamble as evidence of the Founding Fathers' intentions and what they hoped to achieve with the Constitution. It serves as a guide for interpreting the Constitution and understanding the motivations of its authors. The Preamble has been used to discern the "spirit" of the Constitution and the political theory behind it, leading to the development of special rules and principles for interpretation.
The Preamble's reference to "promoting the general Welfare" has been used in cases involving eminent domain, where the court interpreted it as evidence that the health and well-being of the people were important considerations for the Founding Fathers. This interpretation considers the changed circumstances of modern society from the late 18th century when the Constitution was drafted.
In summary, the Preamble to the United States Constitution has evolved from its initial wording to its current form, serving as an introduction to the Constitution's purposes and principles. It has been used by courts to interpret the Constitution's meaning and understand the intentions of its founders, adapting to the changing circumstances of modern society.
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Frequently asked questions
There is just one sentence in the 52-word preamble of the US Constitution.
The preamble is an introduction to the US Constitution, outlining its fundamental purposes and guiding principles. It is not the law.
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
The preamble was mainly written by Gouverneur Morris, a delegate from Pennsylvania, during the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.
