Cynthia H. Roberts
The Preamble is the first part of the Constitution. It is a preface or introduction to the other parts of the Constitution. The Preamble tells why the Constitution was written. It is not law. Rather, the Preamble states purposes, or goals.
The Preamble name six goals that the writers wanted the United States to reach. These goals reflect the beliefs that the makers of the Constitution had about how government should serve citizens.
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1) First goal stated in the Preamble is ‘to form a more perfect union. This means that the citizens of the United States wanted a better union of the states than they had under the articles of confederation.
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2) The second goal; is ‘to establish justice.” This means that the United states should have a system of laws. Conflicts between people or between citizens and their government, should be settled fairly in a court of law.
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3) The third goal is ‘to insure domestic tranquility.” This means that life should be peaceful in all the states. The government should prevent behavior that could threaten health, safety, or property.
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4) The fourth goal is ‘to provide for the common defense.‘ This means that citizens should be to protect themselves and their country from any enemies. The government should have military forces to defend citizens against attack by outsiders.
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5) The fifth goal is ‘to promote the general welfare.‘ This Means that people should have good living conditions. The government is supposed to help make it possible for citizens to work productively and enjoy the rewards of their work.
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6) The sixth goal is ‘to secure the blessings of liberty.‘ This means that citizens now and in the future should be free. The government should try to protect the civil rights and liberties of all citizens.
The first ten amendments were added in 1791, only three years after the Constitution was ratified. These are called the Bill of Rights.