Jonah Patel
The U.S. Constitution begins with the words 'We the People' and is composed of the Preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights. The Preamble sets out the aspirations that 'We the People' have for their government and way of life as a nation. It was drafted in six weeks during the summer of 1787 and outlines five objectives, including to 'establish Justice' and 'insure domestic Tranquility'.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First line | "We the People" |
| First paragraph | "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." |
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What You'll Learn
The first three words: We the People
The first three words of the US Constitution are "We the People". These three words are a powerful statement of unity and democracy, setting the tone for the rest of the document. They represent the idea that the government is created by the people and for the people, with the ultimate power resting in the hands of the citizens. This concept is known as popular sovereignty and is a fundamental principle of American democracy.
"We the People" establishes the idea that the Constitution is a social contract between the government and the governed. It recognises that the people are the source of political power and that the government exists to serve and protect their interests. This phrase also highlights the importance of individual rights and freedoms, which are guaranteed and protected by the Constitution.
The use of "We" implies a sense of collective identity and shared purpose among the citizens of the United States. It suggests that, despite their differences, Americans are united by a common set of values and aspirations. This sense of unity is crucial to the functioning of a democratic society, where collaboration and compromise are essential for progress.
The phrase "the People" is inclusive and democratic, recognising that all citizens have a stake in the nation and its future. It affirms the principle of equality before the law and the idea that everyone deserves equal protection and treatment under the Constitution. This phrase also serves as a reminder that the government is accountable to the people and must act in their best interests.
By beginning with "We the People", the Constitution makes a bold statement about the nature of American democracy and the role of its citizens. It empowers individuals and communities, giving them a voice in the political process and a say in how they are governed. These three words encapsulate the spirit of freedom, equality, and self-governance that has defined the American experiment from its inception.
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The Preamble
The U.S. Constitution begins with the 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 defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity". This is known as the Preamble.
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The 52-word paragraph
The first lines of the US Constitution are: "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." This 52-word paragraph was drafted in six weeks during the hot Philadelphia summer of 1787. It is known as the Preamble and outlines the basic principles of the Constitution. The Preamble begins with the words "We the People", which unite the citizens of the United States as members of a whole, vesting the power of the union in the people. The Preamble sets out the aspirations that "We the People" have for their government and their way of life as a nation. It is composed of five objectives: to establish Justice, to insure domestic Tranquility, to provide for the common defence, to promote the general Welfare, and to secure the Blessings of Liberty. These objectives reflect the desire to form a more perfect Union and to create a strong and united nation.
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The Framers drafted it in six weeks
The Framers drafted the U.S. Constitution in six weeks during the hot Philadelphia summer of 1787. It begins with the words "We the People", and is composed of the Preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights.
The Preamble sets out the aspirations that "We the People" have for their government and their way of life as a nation. It is a 52-word paragraph that establishes the basic principles of the Constitution. The Framers agreed on the following:
> "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 Constitution acted like a colossal merger, uniting a group of states with different interests, laws, and cultures. It united its citizens as members of a whole, vesting the power of the union in the people.
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The objectives: 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
The US Constitution begins with the words "We the People", and is composed of the Preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The Preamble sets out the objectives of the Constitution, which are:
> 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.
The Preamble was drafted in six weeks during the summer of 1787. It sets out the aspirations that "We the People" have for their government and their way of life as a nation. The Constitution acted like a colossal merger, uniting a group of states with different interests, laws, and cultures. It united its citizens as members of a whole, vesting the power of the union in the people.
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Frequently asked questions
'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 is an introduction to the Constitution and sets out the intentions of the framers and the purpose of the document. It is not the law.
The first objective is to 'establish Justice'.
