Simone Lawson
The United States Constitution is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in the world. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789. The Constitution's famous first sentence, We the People, introduces the Preamble, which is a brief statement of the Constitution's fundamental purposes and guiding principles. The Preamble serves as an introduction and does not assign powers to the federal government or provide specific limitations on government action. It sets the tone for the seven articles and 27 amendments that follow.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First words | "We the People" |
| Number of words | 52 |
| Purpose | An introductory statement of the Constitution's fundamental purposes and guiding principles |
| Author | Gouverneur Morris, a Pennsylvania delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention |
| Date written | September 17, 1787 |
| Date ratified | June 21, 1788 |
| Number of amendments | 27 |
| First 10 amendments | Known as the Bill of Rights |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution's first sentence
The first sentence of the US Constitution, also known as the Preamble, introduces the document's fundamental purposes and guiding principles. It 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 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 written primarily by Gouverneur Morris, a delegate from Pennsylvania, at the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. It reflects the intentions of the Founding Fathers and sets out their hopes for the Constitution.
The Preamble is not just an introduction, but also serves as a crucial interpretive tool for courts seeking to understand the Constitution's meaning and historical context. While it does not assign powers to the federal government or limit its actions, courts have referred to it as evidence of the Founding Fathers' intentions. This has influenced how the Constitution has been interpreted and applied over time.
The first three words, "We the People," are particularly significant. They represent a departure from earlier documents, such as the Articles of Confederation, which did not include the word "people." This change reflects the Constitution's emphasis on popular sovereignty and the authority invested in its creators by the people.
The Preamble is followed by seven articles that make up the structural constitution, signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788. The Constitution has since been amended 27 times, with the first 10 amendments forming the Bill of Rights.
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The Preamble
> "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 statement expresses the intentions of the Founding Fathers and what they aimed to achieve with the Constitution. While it does not assign powers to the federal government or limit its actions, the Preamble has been used by courts as evidence of the history, intent, and meaning of the Constitution. It reflects the unique importance placed on the perceptions of the Founders regarding the legal system they created, including the retention of common law concepts such as habeas corpus, trial by jury, and sovereign immunity.
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The Founding Fathers' intentions
The Founding Fathers of the United States include those who wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution of the United States. The group is also often expanded to include individuals who fought in the American Revolutionary War, and others who greatly assisted in the nation's formation. The intentions of the Founding Fathers when drafting the Constitution were to create a system of government that would last and secure the rights of the American people.
The first sentence of the Constitution, known as the Preamble, begins with the famous words, "We the People," and sets the tone for the rest of the document. It 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 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 sentence reflects the Founding Fathers' intentions to create a nation that was unified, just, and committed to the well-being and liberty of its citizens. They sought to form a "more perfect Union," indicating their desire to improve upon the existing system and create a stronger, more unified nation. The phrase "establish Justice" demonstrates their intention to create a fair and impartial legal system, while "insure domestic Tranquility" reflects their aim to promote peace and stability within the nation.
The Founding Fathers also wanted to ensure the country could defend itself, as seen in the phrase "provide for the common defence." Additionally, they aimed to promote the "general Welfare," indicating their commitment to the well-being and prosperity of all citizens. Lastly, their intention to protect the freedoms and rights of the people is evident in the phrase "secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity."
The Founding Fathers had differing beliefs and opinions about what the future United States should look like, but they worked together to create a framework for a system of government that has lasted for over 200 years. They wanted to ensure that power was not concentrated in the hands of a single individual or a small group, so they created a system of checks and balances with a separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.
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The Constitution's fundamental purposes
The US Constitution's first sentence, "We the People", is part of the Preamble, which introduces the document's fundamental purposes and guiding principles. The Preamble outlines the intentions of the Founding Fathers and what they hoped to achieve through the Constitution.
The Preamble's key purposes include forming a more perfect Union, establishing Justice, ensuring domestic Tranquility, providing for the common defence, promoting the general Welfare, and securing the Blessings of Liberty for the people and their Posterity. These purposes reflect the desire to create a strong and united nation with a fair and just society, protecting the welfare and freedoms of its citizens.
The phrase "We the People" signifies the importance of the people's role in the nation's governance, a notable shift from earlier documents like the Articles of Confederation, which did not include the word "people". This change empowered the people, granting them a direct role in shaping the nation's future.
The Preamble also serves as a foundation for interpreting the Constitution. Courts refer to it as evidence of the Founding Fathers' intentions, providing insight into the historical context, motivations, and spirit of the document. It guides the understanding of the Constitution's meaning and the legal system it established, maintaining common law concepts while introducing revolutionary changes.
Additionally, the Preamble underscores the importance of unity and consensus. The Constitution was drafted during the Constitutional Convention, where delegates from different states came together to address the nation's needs. The Preamble reflects the consensus and compromise necessary to form a unified nation, navigating the complexities of state relationships and representation.
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The Constitution's seven articles
The first sentence of the US Constitution is the preamble, 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 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 Philadelphia in the summer of 1787. It sets the stage for the Constitution, communicating the intentions of its framers and the purpose of the document. However, it is not the law itself and does not define government powers or individual rights.
Article I – The Legislative Branch
The principal mission of the legislative branch is to make laws. It is split into two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Congress can draft and pass legislation, borrow money for the nation, declare war, and raise a military. It also has the power to check and balance the other two federal branches.
Article II – The Executive Branch
This branch of the government manages the day-to-day operations of the government through various federal departments and agencies, such as the Department of Treasury. The executive branch's powers include making treaties with other nations, appointing federal judges, department heads, and ambassadors, and determining how to run the country and military operations.
Article III – The Judicial Branch
Article III outlines the powers of the federal court system. The US Supreme Court is the court of last resort, and Congress can determine the size and scope of the lower courts. All judges are appointed for life unless they resign or are charged with bad behaviour, in which case they are tried and judged by a jury of their peers.
Article IV – The States
This article defines the relationship between the states and the federal government. It also explains how new states can join the Union.
Article V – Amendment
Article V states that future generations can amend the Constitution if required. Both the states and Congress can initiate the amendment process.
Article VI – Debts, Supremacy, Oaths
Article VI determines that the Constitution and all laws made from it are the "supreme Law of the Land". All officials must swear an oath to the Constitution.
Article VII – Ratification
The Constitution was ratified in 1788 when New Hampshire became the ninth state to do so, establishing it as the new framework for US governance. However, four states—Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island—remained outside the new government. North Carolina and Rhode Island later ratified the Constitution in 1789 and 1790, respectively.
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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."
52 words.
The first sentence of the US Constitution, also known as the Preamble, was mainly written by Gouverneur Morris, a Pennsylvania delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention held at Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
The Preamble is a brief introductory statement of the Constitution's fundamental purposes and guiding principles. It serves as an introduction and does not assign powers to the federal government or provide specific limitations on government action.
The Preamble is significant because it provides insight into the intentions of the Founding Fathers regarding the Constitution's meaning and what they hoped it would achieve. Courts have referred to it as reliable evidence of their intentions and have used it to interpret the Constitution's meaning and history.
