The document outlines the goals and principles of the US Constitution. The six main goals stated in the Preamble are 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. The five key principles that guide the US government are Popular Sovereignty, Rule of Law, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, and Federalism.

1. Goals & Principles of the US
Constitution
Chapter 3.3 & 3.4

2. The Preamble
Introduction to the Constitution
Lays out the goals of the new government
that is created by the Constitution

3. Goals of the Constitution
We the People of the United States, in Order
(1)to form a more perfect Union,
(2)establish Justice, (3)insure domestic
Tranquility, (4)provide for the common
defense, (5)promote the general Welfare,
and (6)secure the Blessings of Liberty to
ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and
establish this Constitution for the United
States of America.

4. 1) “to form a more perfect union”
the framers wanted to make a better
government than the one that existed under
the Articles of Confederation.

5. 2) “establish justice”
the framers wanted to set up a legal system
that seeks fair ways to settle disputes.

6. 3) “insure domestic tranquility”
the new government will try to establish a
peaceful society where people are protected
from unlawful acts.

7. 4) “provide for the common defense”
the new government will seek to protect
citizens from foreign attacks.

8. 5) “promote the general welfare”
the new government will try to ensure that all
people will have a certain standard of living.

9. 6) “secure the blessings of liberty to
ourselves and our posterity”
the new government will work to protect
people’s freedom in all aspects of life.
and for future generations

10. Principles of the Constitution
These are the ideas that make the
government of the United States work.
It is what makes our government a model
for governments around the world.

11. 1) Popular Sovereignty
The people hold the power and give power to
government
The best way to ensure this is by majority
rule.
This is implied by “We the People.”

12. 2) Rule of Law
No person is above the law, not even
government officials
The law is to be applied equally to everyone,
including our government leaders.

13. 3) Separation of Powers
The main powers of government (legislative,
executive, and judicial) are kept separate in
order to prevent any one person or group
from getting too much power.
Helps prevent a tyrannical government.

14. 4) Checks and Balances
Each branch of government has the ability to
watch over the others in order to make sure
that they are not overstepping their power.
Used with separation of powers it will be able
to protect natural rights.

15. 5) Federalism
The powers of government are shared
between the state level and the national level.
Helps government remain more responsive
on the state and local level to the needs of the
people.

16. a) Supremacy Clause
Article VI, section 2
Called “the Supreme Law of the Land”
whenever a state law disagrees with a
federal law, the federal law “wins”