The preamble to the US Constitution introduces the document and establishes the goals of the new government. It begins with "We the People" to emphasize that the government's power comes from the citizens. It then lists the objectives of the new union, including forming a more just and peaceful government that provides common defense and promotes general welfare and liberty for both current and future generations. It concludes by stating that the Constitution is being ordained to formally establish the United States of America.

1. Preamble
Breakdown

2. What is a Preamble?
Preamble- An introduction
*The Preamble to the U.S.
Constitution provides an
introduction to the
Constitution.

3. So how does the
Preamble Begin?
Click the picture to watch School House Rock’s
Preamble (America Rock) video!
From www.schooltube.com

4. We the People of the United States,
Who are We the People ?
Every person in the United States
How is this statement an example of
social contract?
The people agree to live under a
government and have that
government create laws all will
follow.
In return, the people gain the
protection of the government…

5. …in order to form a more perfect
Union,
What is a “Union” in
context of the
Preamble?
The “Union” refers to the
United States.
How would you put “in order to form a more perfect Union” in
your own words?

6. …establish Justice,
What does “justice”
mean?
Fairness; the act of
applying or upholding the
law
How would you put “establish justice” in your own words?

7. …insure domestic tranquility,
What does
“domestic” mean?
Within a country
What does “tranquility”
mean?
Peace
domestic + tranquility = ?
Peace within a country
How would you put “insure domestic tranquility” in your own
words?

8. …provide for the common defense,
Security of all
people
Image from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Armed_Forces
What does
“common defense”
mean?
How would you put “provide for the common defense” in your
own words?

9. …promote the general Welfare,
What does “Welfare” mean in the
context of the Preamble?
Well- being; the state or condition of
being healthy, safe, happy, and/or
prospering
So what would the “general Welfare” be?
The well-being of the community as a whole.
How would you put “promote the general welfare” in your own
words?

10. …secure the Blessings of Liberty to
ourselves and our Posterity,
What does “liberty”
mean?
freedom
What does
“posterity” mean?
All future generations
How would you put “Secure the blessings of
Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity” in your
own words?

11. …do ordain and establish this Constitution for the
United States of America.
What does “ordain”
mean?
Establish formally or by
law
How would you put “Do ordain and establish this Constitution
for the United States of America” in your own words?