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.
Focus Questions
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1. What do the following phrases in the Preamble mean: "we the people", "a more perfect union", "establish justice", "insure domestic tranquility", "provide for the common defense", "promote the general welfare", and "secure the blessings of liberty"?
2. How does the Preamble reflect the Founders' values and their goals for the future of the United States?
3. If the Preamble were to be written today, how would it be different? Would it reflect different values?
- Excerpts from Records of the Convention, including discussion and development of the Preamble
- Excerpt from Federalist Number 84, written by Alexander Hamilton, discusses the Preamble
- Excerpt from Brutus no. 12 (Anti-Federalist papers)
- Charles Pinckney, speech to the South Carolina House of Representatives
- Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution
- The National Archives and Records Administration has an exhibition which explores each phrase of the Preamble
- Learn a song to help you memorize the Preamble to the Constitution. You'll see that the version omits the words "of the United States", and adds one other word.
