Question

“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.”


(a) Briefly describe ONE historical development illustrated by the Preamble.

(b) Briefly describe ONE way in which a historical development illustrated by the Preamble compares with the ideas expressed in the Declaration of Independence.

(c) Briefly explain ONE point of view of the authors of the Preamble.

USE SIMPLE WORDS

Answer 1

(a) After the Revolution, the country had a weak national government under the Articles of Confederation. Events like Shays’ Rebellion showed that a stronger, more organized central government was needed. The Preamble reflects this move to replace the Articles and form the Constitution.

(b) Both the Preamble and the Declaration care about liberty and the rights of the people. The Declaration explains why the colonies broke from Britain and argues for natural rights. The Preamble takes that idea further by saying the people will set up a government to protect those rights, keep peace, and promote the common good.

(c) The authors’ point of view: power should come from the people (“We the People”), and they wanted a written Constitution to build a government that would make laws, ensure justice, keep order, and protect freedom for current and future generations.