Jonah Patel
The Preamble to the United States Constitution, which begins with the words We the People, is an introductory statement that outlines the Constitution's fundamental purposes and guiding principles. It sets the stage for the Constitution, communicating the intentions of its framers and the purpose of the document. The phrase We the People emphasizes that the Constitution is of the people, for the people, and by the people of the United States, establishing a direct link between the Constitution and its citizens. While the interpretation of We the People originally referred only to white, male property owners, the conception has evolved to include a broader segment of society.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Communicates the intentions of the framers | The preamble sets the stage for the Constitution and communicates the intentions of the framers. |
| Inclusion | "We the People" includes not only women, servants, African Americans, and all who come within the various Constitutional Amendments (the 13th, 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th). |
| Unity | The Constitution united its citizens as members of a whole, vesting the power of the union in the people. |
| Direct link to citizens | The use of "We the People" affirms that the Constitution is of the people, for the people, and by the people of the United States. |
| Binding | The preamble confirms that the Constitution is binding only in the United States of America. |
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![We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution, Level 2 [Student Edition]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91b6YPItJTL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
The preamble's intentions and purpose
The preamble to the United States Constitution is an introductory statement that sets out the intentions and purpose of the document. It is not a law itself, but it outlines the fundamental principles that the Constitution is based on. The preamble was added to the final draft during the last days of the Constitutional Convention, with delegate Governor Morris leading the effort.
The words "We the People" are often considered the strongest link between the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, defining the interaction between the Constitution and the citizens of the United States as direct and immediate. The use of "We the People" affirmed that the Constitution is of the people, for the people, and by the people of the United States, as opposed to previous documents that listed the names of the various states. This reflected a shift from the norm, where the people of individual states acted together only for specific purposes under the Articles of Confederation, the first national government.
The preamble communicates the aspirations of "We the People" for their government and way of life as a nation. It sets the stage for the Constitution, which acted as a colossal merger, uniting a group of states with different interests, laws, and cultures under a single union. The preamble outlines six basic principles that the framers agreed upon, including establishing justice, insuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common defence, promoting general welfare, and securing the blessings of liberty for themselves and their posterity.
While the founders of the Constitution undoubtedly had a narrow conception of "the people" as only white, male property owners over 21 years of age, this interpretation has evolved over time. Judge William H. Hastie, the first African-American federal judge, wrote that "Democracy is a process, not a static condition", reflecting the ongoing process of expanding democratic ideals to include all citizens, such as women, servants, African Americans, and others protected under various Constitutional Amendments.
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The meaning of We the People
The Preamble to the United States Constitution begins with the words "We the People", which sets the tone for the rest of the document. The phrase communicates the intentions of the framers and the purpose of the document. It affirms that the Constitution is of the people, for the people, and by the people of the United States. This interpretation leads to an understanding of the Constitution as a document that directly affects the people, rather than through regulations imposed on the states.
The use of "We the People" in the Preamble has been subject to debate and interpretation throughout American history. When the Constitution was written in 1787, the founders undoubtedly had in mind only white, male property owners over the age of 21. However, over time, this conception has evolved to include a broader range of individuals. Judge William H. Hastie, the first African-American Federal judge appointed in 1937, wrote that "Democracy is a process, not a static condition", reflecting the ongoing process of expanding democratic ideals to include all citizens.
The phrase "We the People" is often seen as a strong link between the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, which proclaimed that "all men are created equal". The Preamble sets out the aspirations and promises that "We the People" have for our government and our way of life as a nation. It establishes the basic principles that the framers agreed upon, including establishing justice, insuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common defence, promoting general welfare, and securing the blessings of liberty for present and future generations.
The inclusion of "We the People" in the Preamble to the Constitution is significant as it emphasizes the direct relationship between the Constitution and the citizens of the United States. It represents the idea that the power of the union is vested in the people, uniting citizens as members of a whole. This powerful phrase has become a symbol of the nation's commitment to democracy and the rights of its citizens.
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The link between the Constitution and Declaration of Independence
The Preamble to the United States 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."
The words "We the People" are considered the strongest link between the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. The phrase sets the stage for the Constitution, communicating the intentions of its framers and its purpose. The use of "We the People" affirms that the Constitution is of the people, for the people, and by the people of the United States. This interpretation leads to an understanding of the Constitution as affecting the people directly and not through regulations imposed on the states.
The phrase "We the People" in the Preamble has been interpreted to include not only women, servants, and African Americans but also all who come within the various Constitutional Amendments (the 13th, 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th). This interpretation has evolved over time, as the founders of the Constitution undoubtedly had in mind only white, male property owners when they wrote those words in the late 18th century. However, individuals and groups have worked throughout American history to make the nation better reflect the democratic ideals expressed in its founding documents.
The Constitution's Preamble, with its inclusion of "We the People," thus serves as a powerful link to the Declaration of Independence, affirming the rights and freedoms outlined in that foundational document and setting the stage for a nation built on the principles of liberty, justice, and democracy.
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The inclusion of women, servants, and African Americans
The preamble to the US Constitution, which famously begins with the words "We the People", was written to unite a group of states with different interests, laws, and cultures under a single national government. The phrase "We the People" emphasizes that the power of the union resides with the people, and it has been the subject of much debate regarding who exactly is included in this statement.
The Inclusion of Women
Historically, there has been debate about whether women were implicitly included in "We the People" and thus part of the political community created by the Constitution. During one of the early debates about representation in what would become the House of Representatives, Pennsylvania's James Wilson, one of the most active and influential members of the Constitutional Convention, suggested that representation should be based on the "whole number of white & other free Citizens and inhabitants of every age, sex & condition". This statement explicitly included women as members of society, and it was argued that the government, in securing the happiness of society, was responsible for protecting women as members of that society.
However, women were not granted the right to vote until the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920. Additionally, feminists like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony had to petition Congress for universal suffrage in 1866, noting that the Constitution "classes us as 'free people' and counts us as whole persons in the basis for representation". This suggests that there was a need for women to actively assert their inclusion in "We the People" and demand the rights that came with that inclusion.
The Inclusion of Servants and African Americans
The 14th Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1868, was a significant step towards including African Americans in the definition of "We the People". It abolished slavery and provided a legal basis for challenging discrimination, demanding equal rights, and effecting change. The amendment also amended the 3/5ths clause in the Constitution, stating that population counts would be based on the "whole number of persons" in a state, ensuring that all people were counted equally.
However, it is important to note that the 14th Amendment did not initially grant voting rights to African Americans, as it only protected the right to vote for "all male citizens age 21 or older". It would take the 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, to ban voting restrictions based on race, and even then, various groups in society, including African Americans, continued to face challenges to their citizenship status and civil rights.
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The interpretation of a more perfect Union
The interpretation of "a more perfect Union" has evolved over time, reflecting the changing democratic ideals of the nation. While the founding fathers who drafted the Constitution in 1787 likely had white, male property owners over 21 years of age in mind, the phrase "We the People" has come to include a broader segment of the population. This interpretation affirms that the Constitution is of, for, and by the people of the United States, directly affecting its citizens.
The phrase "a more perfect Union" underscores the aspiration of self-governance and the recognition that perfection is relative and unattainable. The founding fathers understood that the definition of perfection varies across different groups, and even within those groups, there are differing views on how to achieve it. By striving for "more perfect," the framers acknowledged the need for continuous improvement and a willingness to listen to diverse perspectives.
The inclusion of "a more perfect Union" in the preamble of the Constitution carries significant weight. The preamble sets the stage for the highest law of the land, communicating the intentions of its framers and its purpose. It establishes the Constitution as a unifying force, bringing together thirteen self-governed states with distinct interests, laws, and cultures under one union. This union vests power in the people, marking a shift from the Articles of Confederation, where states acted together only for specific purposes.
The interpretation of "a more perfect Union" also underscores the direct interaction between the Constitution and the citizens of the United States. This interpretation is strengthened by the presence of the words "We the People," which serve as a powerful link between the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. These three words emphasize the immediate and direct impact of the Constitution on the lives of citizens, rather than through regulations imposed on the states.
Moreover, "a more perfect Union" signifies a commitment to unity and collective progress. It reflects the understanding that a strong union is essential for establishing justice, ensuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common defence, promoting general welfare, and securing the blessings of liberty for all. The interpretation of "a more perfect Union" is, therefore, deeply intertwined with the core values and principles outlined in the Constitution's preamble.
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Frequently asked questions
"We the People" affirmed that the Constitution is of the people, for the people, and by the people of the United States. This interpretation leads to an understanding of the Constitution as affecting the people directly and not through regulations imposed on the states.
When the US Constitution was written in 1787, "We the People" undoubtedly referred only to white, male property owners 21 years of age and over. However, this conception has evolved over time to include women, servants, African Americans, and all who fall under the various Constitutional Amendments.
The preamble sets the stage for the US Constitution and communicates the intentions of its framers and the purpose of the document. It is an introduction to the highest law of the land and outlines the basic principles that the framers agreed upon.
The preamble's statement of "We the People" sets out the aspirations that citizens have for their government and way of life as a nation. Federal judges have explained how citizens' consent to following the law protects their rights in everyday situations.
The words "We the People" are considered strong links between the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. The phrase defines the direct and immediate interaction between the Constitution and the citizens of the United States, reflecting the democratic ideals expressed in both documents.
