Gov: Constitution Packet – Preamble

_________________________________________________________________________

Content Objective:

Understand the purpose of laws and government, provisions to limit power, and the ability to meet changing needs as essential ideas of the Constitution.

Language Objectives:

• Understand, learn, and use new vocabulary that is introduced and taught directly through informational text and direct instruction.
• Identify and/or summarize main ideas, facts, supporting details, and opinions in an informational and/or practical selection.
• Read and synthesize information found in various parts of charts, tables, or diagrams to reach supported conclusions.

Learning Target:

Students will explain the fundamental governing principles on which the Constitution is based and how those principles are embodied in the document.

__________________________________________________________________________

Constitution Packet

Read the U. S. Constitution and complete the questions in your worksheet packet. Please make sure all the answers are in your own words. The worksheet packet is a survey of the U.S. Constitution, beginning with the Preamble and continuing on through the Amendments. It is a thorough review of the various provisions of the Constitution, and will serve as a basis of your first test in the semester, in addition to additional reading from the text. You should find a copy of the Constitution and then read through it from beginning to end, entering the required information asked on the study guide.

“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 to the U.S. Constitution summarizes the Founding Fathers’ intention to create a federal government dedicated to ensuring that “We the People” always live in a safe, peaceful, healthy, well-defended and most of all, free nation.

As the Founders intended, the Preamble has no force in law. It grants no powers to the federal or state governments, nor does it limit the scope of future government actions. As a result, the Preamble has never been cited by any federal court, including the U.S. Supreme Court, in deciding cases dealing with constitutional issues.

The Preamble is a single, long sentence that defines the broad purposes of the republican government created by the Constitution. It begins with the phrase “We the people,” signifying that power and authority in our system of government come from the people, not the states.

The Preamble goes on to set various goals for the nation under the Constitution. These goals are expressed in a series of key phrases.

“Form a more perfect union.” The framers of the Constitution wanted to ensure cooperation among the states, and between the states and the national government.

“Establish justice.” The framers hoped to create a system of government based on fair laws that apply equally to all people.

“Ensure domestic tranquility.” The framers wanted government to ensure peace and order.

“Provide for the common defense.” The framers wanted the government to protect the nation against foreign enemies.

“Promote the general welfare.” The framers hoped the government would ensure the well-being of the citizens.

“Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.” The framers hoped to guarantee freedom for Americans, then and in the future.

_______________________________________________________________________

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed here are those of the students and speakers of our government classes and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of this website, institution, or organization. Any views or opinions are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual.