Omar Bennett
The introduction to the US Constitution is known as the Preamble. The Preamble outlines the general goals of the framers, which include creating a just government, ensuring peace, and securing the blessings of liberty for the American people. The first three words of the Preamble, We the People, emphasize that the nation is to be ruled by its citizens, rather than by a monarch or dictator. The Preamble is followed by seven articles that make up the structural constitution and 27 amendments, beginning with the Bill of Rights, which consists of the first 10 amendments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Preamble |
| First Words | "We the People" |
| Number of Words | 52 |
| Purpose | To outline the general goals of the framers, including creating a just government, ensuring peace, providing an adequate national defense, and securing liberty. |
| Amendments | 27 |
| Ratification of Amendments | The first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791. |
| Average Ratification Time | For the first 26 amendments, the average ratification time was 1 year and 252 days. |
| Display | All four pages of the original document are on permanent display at the National Archives. |
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What You'll Learn
The Preamble
The introduction to the US Constitution is known as the Preamble. The Preamble is comprised of the first 52 famous words of the Constitution, which introduce the articles and amendments that follow. The Preamble outlines the general goals of the framers of the Constitution and emphasises that the nation is to be ruled by the people. It lays out the purposes of the new government.
The US Constitution was drafted at the Constitutional Convention, which assembled at Independence Hall in Philadelphia between May 25 and September 17, 1787. The document was originally intended as a revision of the Articles of Confederation, but instead introduced a completely new form of government. The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788.
There have been 27 amendments to the Constitution, beginning with the Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments, ratified on December 15, 1791. The Constitution has acted as a colossal merger, uniting a group of states with different interests, laws, and cultures.
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Purposes of the new government
The introduction to the US Constitution is titled the Preamble. The Preamble lays out the purposes of the new government, which 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."
The opening words, "We the People", represent the idea that the people, not the states, are the source of the government's legitimacy. The new government aimed to address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation, which had proven ineffective in meeting the young nation's needs. The Articles gave little power to the central government, and lacked enforcement powers.
The new Constitution sought to establish a federal government with enough power to act on a national level, while also ensuring that fundamental rights would not be at risk. This was achieved by separating the powers of government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. Each branch has checks and balances to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power.
The Constitution also provided for a bicameral (two-house) Congress, with proportional representation based on state population. It included provisions for an elected chief executive and an appointed judiciary. These measures ensured that the new government would be more effective and responsive to the needs of the people, while also protecting their freedoms and liberties.
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Emphasising the rule of the people
The introduction to the US Constitution is called the Preamble. The Preamble is an introductory paragraph that outlines the general goals of the framers and the purposes of the new government. It is famous for its first 52 words, beginning with "We the People", emphasizing that the nation is to be ruled by the people. This is a significant departure from the previous form of government, where power was vested in a king or a dictator, the president, Supreme Court justices, members of Congress, or state legislators.
The Preamble sets out the intentions of the Constitution, which are to create a more perfect Union, establish Justice, ensure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty for the citizens of the United States of America. These goals reflect the desire for a government that is just, peaceful, and dedicated to the welfare and freedom of its people.
The phrase "We the People" is a powerful statement that places the power in the hands of the citizens of the nation. It is a direct and unequivocal assertion of popular sovereignty, where the people are the ultimate source of political power. This concept is a fundamental principle of democracy and a cornerstone of the American political system.
The drafting of the Constitution, also referred to as its framing, took place at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia between May 25 and September 17, 1787. The convention was convened to propose revisions to the Articles of Confederation, which had been ineffective in meeting the young nation's needs. The delegates, chosen by the state legislatures of 12 of the 13 original states (Rhode Island refused to send delegates), quickly began considering measures to replace the Articles.
The Constitution, with its Preamble emphasizing the rule of the people, was a revolutionary document that introduced a completely new form of government. It united a group of states with diverse interests, laws, and cultures, creating a unified nation with a government vested in its citizens. The Preamble, with its opening words, thus laid the foundation for a nation where the power rests with the people, a core principle of American democracy.
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Creating a just government
The introduction to the US Constitution is known as the Preamble. It outlines the general goals of the framers: to create a just government and ensure peace, an adequate national defence, and a healthy, free nation. The Preamble is an essential part of the Constitution, as it establishes the purpose and principles that guide the rest of the document.
The first three words of the Preamble, "We the People," are significant as they emphasise that the nation is to be ruled by the people, not a monarch or dictator, or any single individual or group. This fundamental principle of democracy is a cornerstone of the Constitution and sets the tone for the rest of the document.
The Preamble to the Constitution 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 introductory paragraph sets out the intentions of the new government, including establishing justice, ensuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common defence, and promoting the general welfare. These goals reflect the framers' desire to create a just and equitable government that serves the people and protects their rights and freedoms.
The creation of the US Constitution was a significant moment in the history of the nation. It was drafted at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia between May 25 and September 17, 1787. The Convention was convened to propose revisions to the Articles of Confederation, which had been ineffective in meeting the needs of the growing nation. However, the delegates quickly began considering more significant changes, including the creation of a new form of government. The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788, marking the beginning of a new era in American governance.
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Ensuring peace and defence
The introduction to the US Constitution is known as the Preamble. The Preamble outlines the general goals of the framers, including the aim to ensure peace and defence.
The Preamble to the US Constitution includes the phrase "insure domestic Tranquility", which reflects the framers' intention to ensure peace and maintain domestic order within the nation. This goal of ensuring domestic tranquility is closely tied to the concept of establishing justice, as a just and fair society is more likely to enjoy peace and harmony.
To achieve this goal, the Constitution outlines specific powers and responsibilities of the federal government in maintaining peace and defence. For example, the Constitution grants Congress the power " [t]o define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations". Additionally, it gives Congress the authority " [t]o declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water". These provisions ensure that the federal government has the necessary tools to address threats and maintain peace.
The Constitution also addresses the role of the military in ensuring peace and defence. It states that the President shall be the "Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States". It also grants Congress the power " [t]o raise and support Armies" and " [t]o provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions". These provisions ensure that the country has the necessary military capabilities to defend itself against external threats and maintain peace and order within its borders.
Furthermore, the Constitution promotes a balanced approach to defence and liberty. While it emphasises the importance of providing for the "common defence", it also seeks to "secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity". This reflects the framers' intention to establish a strong defence while also protecting the freedoms and rights of the people.
The US Constitution, with its Preamble and subsequent articles and amendments, provides a framework for ensuring peace and defence within the nation. It establishes a system of checks and balances, outlining the roles and responsibilities of different branches of government, including the executive and legislative branches, to achieve the goal of a peaceful and secure nation.
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Frequently asked questions
The intro to the US Constitution is called the Preamble.
The Preamble outlines the general goals of the framers: to create a just government and to ensure peace, an adequate national defence, and a healthy, free nation.
"We the People".
There have been 27 amendments to the US Constitution.
