Preamble to the United States Constitution
Introduction to the U.S. Constitution
The Preamble to the United States Constitution is a brief introductory statement of the Constitution's fundamental purposes and guiding principles. It begins with the phrase "We the People" and outlines the reasons behind the enactment of the Constitution. The Preamble is not a source of power for any department of the federal government, but it sets the stage for the Constitution's articles and amendments.
Text of the Preamble[edit | edit source]
The text of 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.
Purpose and Interpretation[edit | edit source]
The Preamble serves several purposes:
- It declares that the Constitution derives its authority from the people rather than the states.
- It outlines the objectives of the Constitution, including forming a more perfect union, establishing justice, ensuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common defense, promoting the general welfare, and securing the blessings of liberty.
The Preamble has been cited in various United States Supreme Court cases as an important tool for interpreting the intentions of the framers of the Constitution.
Historical Context[edit | edit source]
The Preamble was written during the Constitutional Convention of 1787, held in Philadelphia. The final wording was crafted by the Committee of Style and Arrangement, which included notable figures such as Gouverneur Morris, who is often credited with penning the final draft.
Significance[edit | edit source]
While the Preamble itself does not confer any powers or rights, it is significant for its role in expressing the underlying philosophy of the Constitution. It reflects the framers' vision of a government that serves its citizens and operates with their consent.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
- United States Constitution
- Bill of Rights
- Federalist Papers
- Constitutional Convention (United States)
- Articles of Confederation
- Supreme Court of the United States
Categories[edit | edit source]
  | This article relating to the history of the United States is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
