Simone Lawson
The Constitution of the United States is a document that was drafted and signed on September 17, 1787, by 39 delegates at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. The preamble to the Constitution, which begins with the words We the People of the United States, is often considered the mission statement of the Constitution. It outlines the intentions and aspirations of the framers and sets the stage for the rest of the document, which establishes the fundamental laws and principles of the United States government.
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution's preamble
The preamble to the US Constitution is an introductory statement that outlines the intentions and purpose of the document. It is not a law itself, but it sets the stage for the Constitution, the highest law of the land.
The Preamble 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 six weeks during the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia. It communicates the aspirations of "We the People" for their government and way of life as a nation. It outlines six key objectives: establishing justice, insuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common defence, promoting general welfare, and securing the blessings of liberty for the present and future generations.
The Preamble to the US Constitution is a powerful statement that unifies the states and its citizens, vesting the power of the union in the people. It serves as an inspirational and educational tool, stimulating important conversations about the Constitution and the rights and responsibilities of citizens in the United States.
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The intentions of the framers
The framers drafted the preamble in six weeks during the hot Philadelphia summer of 1787. The 52-word paragraph outlines five objectives:
- Establish Justice
- Insure domestic Tranquility
- Provide for the common defence
- Promote the general Welfare
- Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity
The preamble sets out the aspirations that "We the People" have for our government and for our way of life as a nation. The drafting of the Constitution, often referred to as its framing, was completed at the Constitutional Convention, which assembled at Independence Hall in Philadelphia between May 25 and September 17, 1787. The convention's initial mandate was limited to amending the Articles of Confederation, which had proven ineffective in meeting the young nation's needs. However, delegates began considering measures to replace the Articles. The first proposal, introduced by delegates from Virginia, called for a bicameral (two-house) Congress that would be elected on a proportional basis based on state population, an elected chief executive, and an appointed judicial branch.
The signing of the United States Constitution occurred on September 17, 1787, when 39 delegates endorsed the constitution created during the convention. Within three days of its signing, the Constitution was submitted to the Congress of the Confederation, then sitting in New York City, the nation's temporary capital. The document introduced a completely new form of government. Members of Congress had the power to reject it, but they voted unanimously to forward the proposal to the thirteen states for their ratification.
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The Constitution's validity
The Constitution of the United States is a historic document that serves as the foundation of the country's legal and governmental systems. Drafted in 1787, it outlines the rights and responsibilities of the federal government and sets forth the principles that guide the nation. The Constitution has undergone amendments over the years, but its core principles remain intact.
The preamble to the Constitution, which begins with the famous words "We the People," is a clear statement of the intentions of its framers and the purpose of the document. It sets out the aspirations of the American people for their government and their way of life as a nation. The preamble is an introduction to the Constitution and is not in itself a law, but it communicates the document's mission and underlying philosophy.
The procedure for amending the Constitution is outlined in Article V, and the process is overseen by the Archivist of the United States. A proposal for an amendment must be adopted by a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress or by a national convention requested by two-thirds of state legislatures. Once the proposal passes, Congress decides whether ratification will be by state legislatures or state ratifying conventions.
The Constitution has been amended several times since its inception to address the changing needs of the nation. These amendments have expanded civil rights, altered the structure of the government, and clarified the powers of the federal government. Each amendment undergoes a rigorous process to ensure its validity, including proposal, ratification, and, ultimately, incorporation into the Constitution.
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The right to a public trial
The mission statement of the US Constitution is commonly referred to as the Preamble. It clearly communicates the intentions of the framers and the purpose of the document. The Preamble is an introduction to the highest law of the land, though it is not the law itself. It does not define government powers or individual rights. Instead, it outlines the aspirations that "We the People" have for our government and our way of life as a nation.
The Preamble states:
> "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 Sixth Amendment guarantees the accused the right to a public trial. This right is aimed at creating transparency, fairness, and accountability. The public trial right is for the benefit of the accused, so that the public may see that they are treated fairly and not unjustly condemned. The presence of interested spectators may also encourage the triers of fact and law to be more aware of their responsibility and the importance of their functions.
The Sixth Amendment right to a public trial and the First Amendment right to public access both presume that opening criminal proceedings helps ensure their fairness. However, there may be circumstances in which an accused might consider openness and its attendant publicity to be unfairly prejudicial. In such cases, the accused's broader right to a fair trial and the government's interest in orderly judicial administration are weighed against the public's First Amendment right to access.
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The role of the President
The President is responsible for enforcing laws and directing officers and staff, and has the power to call both the House of Representatives and the Senate together for a special session. The President also meets with representatives from other nations on behalf of the United States.
In addition, the President has the duty to provide a "State of the Union" address, a tradition that has been in place since 1913, and which usually occurs annually in January or February. This address involves the President directly addressing a joint session of Congress.
The President's role also includes the power to raise and support armies, define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and to declare war. The President is responsible for governing the militia employed in the service of the United States, while also reserving the authority of training the militia to the states.
Furthermore, the President is responsible for ensuring that no money is drawn from the Treasury without consequence of appropriations made by law. This includes publishing a regular statement of accounts and expenditures of all public money.
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Frequently asked questions
The mission statement of the US Constitution is called the Preamble.
The Preamble sets the stage for the Constitution and communicates the intentions of its framers. It is an introduction to the highest law of the land.
The Preamble outlines six key objectives: 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 US Constitution was drafted between May 25 and September 17, 1787, and signed on September 17, 1787, by 39 delegates.
