Malcolm Rivera
The phrase form a more perfect union is derived from the Preamble to the United States Constitution, which reads: We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, 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 sets the stage for the Constitution, outlining the intentions of its framers and the purpose of the document. It reflects the fundamental values and principles of a newly independent nation, seeking to unite thirteen separate self-governed states under a stronger central authority. The phrase form a more perfect union implies a continuous pursuit of improvement and a recognition that the American experience is never truly complete.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Form a more perfect union | "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union" |
| Establish justice | "Establish Justice" |
| Ensure domestic tranquility | "Insure domestic Tranquility" |
| Provide for the common defense | "Provide for the common defense" |
| Promote the general welfare | "Promote the general Welfare" |
| Secure the blessings of liberty | "Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity" |
| Ordain and establish the Constitution | "Do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America" |
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What You'll Learn
The need for a more powerful central authority
The United States Constitution was formed during a period of revolutionary change, as people sought to break free from the absolute power of monarchs and gain more freedom for their religious practices and self-determination. The American Revolution had succeeded, but the colonies lacked a government. The Continental Congress (1774-1779) was the first attempt at a coordinated effort to resist the British, and it became the central institution for managing the struggle for American independence.
However, by 1783, as the war formally ended, Congress faced a broader range of issues, including managing foreign debts, disbanding the Continental Army, and establishing formal relationships with foreign countries. Despite their continued efforts, many Americans viewed the Congress as too weak to enforce its mandates on the states. This led to calls for a special convention to revise the Articles of Confederation, resulting in the Constitutional Convention of 1787, which proposed a new constitution with a much stronger national government.
The preamble to the Constitution, which states the intentions of its framers, highlights the need for a more perfect union, with the introduction of the famous words: "We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, 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 phrase "a more perfect union" implies that the progress of the American experience is never complete and that there is always room for improvement in the state of the union. This idea of a more perfect union has been used in modern times to advocate for social justice and healthcare reform, with politicians like Congressman John Garamendi arguing that the Declaration of Independence's promise of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" is not yet secured for all Americans.
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The Articles of Confederation
The Articles were written in reaction to years of British rule. The Second Continental Congress appointed three committees on June 11, 1776, one of which was tasked with determining what form the confederation of the colonies should take. This committee was composed of one representative from each colony. John Dickinson, a delegate from Delaware, was the principal writer.
The final draft of the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union was completed on November 15, 1777, and submitted to the states for ratification in late November 1777. Virginia was the first state to ratify, doing so on December 16, 1777. By February 1779, 12 states had ratified the Articles, with Maryland as the lone holdout. Maryland finally ratified the Articles on February 2, 1781, and Congress was informed of its assent on March 1, officially proclaiming the Articles of Confederation to be the law of the land.
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The establishment of a stronger national government
As a result, many Americans recognised the need for a more powerful central authority. Nationalists, led by figures such as James Madison, George Washington, and Alexander Hamilton, began working towards strengthening the federal government. They transformed a series of regional commercial conferences into the Constitutional Convention of 1787, which aimed to revise the Articles of Confederation.
The Constitutional Convention proposed a new constitution that established a much stronger national government. It created a federal government with more specific powers, including those related to conducting relations with foreign governments. The new constitution divided federal authority between the Legislative, Judicial, and Executive branches, creating a system of checks and balances. This addressed the issues under the Articles of Confederation, where the federal government struggled with conducting foreign policy and passing or enforcing laws.
The Constitution also established a stronger executive branch to handle routine paperwork, allowing the Senate to focus on important issues. The establishment of this stronger national government was a significant step towards forming a more perfect union, as envisioned in the Preamble to the Constitution, which states the goal of "establish [ing] justice, insur [ing] domestic tranquility, provid [ing] for the common defence, promot [ing] the general welfare, and secur [ing] the blessings of liberty".
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The protection of independence of member states
The protection of the independence of member states is a key consideration when forming a more perfect union. The United States Declaration of Independence asserts the independence of the thirteen colonies from Great Britain, establishing them as free and independent states with the power to govern themselves, levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, and conduct other affairs as independent states.
The Articles of Confederation, America's first attempt at governing itself as an independent nation, united the states in a loose confederation while protecting their independence. However, it became apparent that a stronger central authority was needed, as the Congress established by the Articles lacked the power to enforce its mandates. This led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, which proposed a new constitution with a stronger national government.
The Preamble to the United States Constitution emphasizes the importance of forming a more perfect union, establishing justice, ensuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common defense, promoting the general welfare, and securing the blessings of liberty. The Constitution seeks to protect the independence of member states by guaranteeing each state a republican form of government and protecting them from invasion and domestic violence.
To further protect the independence and rights of citizens within the member states, the Constitution includes provisions such as prohibiting any state from making or enforcing laws that abridge the privileges or immunities of US citizens, or deprive them of life, liberty, or property without due process. It also ensures that all citizens have equal protection under the laws and that representatives are apportioned among the states according to their populations.
The process of forming a more perfect union is ongoing, and historical events and values continue to shape the interpretation and application of the Constitution. Efforts such as health care reform and the extension of health coverage to all citizens are seen as significant steps towards a more perfect union, promoting the general welfare and securing justice for all.
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The need for a federal chief executive
The founding of the United States of America was a process that took many years, with the original 13 colonies gaining independence from Britain in 1783. By 1789, these colonies had become independent states, joined by a new federal constitution into a single nation. However, the Articles of Confederation, written in 1781, did not provide for a federal chief executive or a judicial system. This led to the creation of the US Constitution and the present form of government.
The President is both the head of state and head of government, with the Vice President ready to assume the Presidency should the need arise. The President is also responsible for receiving ambassadors and other public ministers, ensuring the faithful execution of laws, and commissioning all officers of the United States. The President is required to give Congress information on the State of the Union and recommend measures for their consideration.
The Constitution outlines three qualifications for the Presidency: the President must be 35 years of age, be a natural-born citizen, and have lived in the United States for at least 14 years. Before assuming office, the President is required to take an oath or affirmation, swearing to faithfully execute the office and preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution. This oath has been interpreted by some Presidents as bestowing the power to refuse to execute statutes deemed unconstitutional.
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Frequently asked questions
"Form a more perfect union" implies that the progress of the American experience is never complete. The phrase calls for continuous improvement in the state of the union.
The phrase "form a more perfect union" was first used in the Preamble to the US Constitution, which was drafted in 1787. The Preamble was an introduction to the highest law of the land and communicated the intentions of the framers and the purpose of the document.
The US Constitution aimed to establish a stronger national government than the Articles of Confederation, which had governed the independent states from 1781 to 1789. The Constitution sought to establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty for the American people.
The Preamble to the US Constitution was shaped by the American Revolution and the need for a government for the newly independent states. The historical context of the time, including the desire to break free from the absolute power of monarchs and achieve freedom of religious practice and self-determination, influenced the principles outlined in the Preamble.
The concept of "forming a more perfect union" is still relevant today as it serves as a reminder that the work towards a more perfect union is ongoing. Issues such as social justice, healthcare reform, and economic welfare continue to be areas where improvements are sought to create a more perfect union for all Americans.
