1.8 The Preamble

What is the primary purpose of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution?

• To outline the structure of the new government

• To serve as an introduction establishing the goals and purposes of government

• To declare independence from Britain

• To list the grievances against the British Crown

Which of the following is NOT a goal set forth in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution?

• Establish justice

• Form a more perfect union

• Grant universal suffrage

• Ensure domestic tranquility

What does the phrase 'We the People' signify in the context of the Preamble?

• The government is an entity separate from the people.

• The government depends on the people for its power and exists to serve them.

• The government is a direct democracy.

• The government's power is derived from the monarch.

Which of the following is a purpose of the national government as stated in the Preamble?

• To create an isolationist state

• To establish a new monarchy

• To promote the general welfare

• To abolish the state governments

How does the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution view the relationship between the government and the people?

• The government exists to serve the people, deriving its power from them.

• The government and the people are one and the same.

• The government has unlimited power over the people.

• The people are subjects of the government.

What does the Preamble begin with?

• "We the People of the United States..."

• "In order to form a more perfect union..."

• "To whom it may concern..."

• "Hereby declare the independence..."

The _______ is the opening paragraph of the Constitution. It is where you find the goals of the Constitution.

• Article 1
• Preamble
• Bill of Rights
• Prelude

Which phrase in the Preamble establishes the principle of Popular Sovereignty?

• Promote the general welfare

• Establish justice

• Provide for the common defence

• We the people

Which answer best describes this passage from the Preamble?

"to secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity"

• To guarantee freedoms and liberties only to those who can vote.

• To guarantee freedoms and liberties only to the first colonists.

• To guarantee freedoms and liberties to all Americans, including our future generations.

• To guarantee freedoms and liberties to all Americans, except immigrants.

Match the goal from the Preamble to its meaning.

• protect and defend the nation

• "promote the general welfare"

• maintain/watch over the safety and well-being of citizens

• "secure the blessings of Liberty for ourselves and our posterity"

• maintain peace within the country

• "establish justice"

• keep these freedoms not only for ourselves, but for future generations

• "provide for the common defence"

• maintain a fair legal system for all

• "insure domestice tranquility"

Answer explanation

Make connections between words/phrases in the goals and words/phrases in the meanings...

Example:

"establish justice" --> justice is related to courts --> courts deal with the law and keeping it fair --> "establish justice" must mean having fairness for all under the law.

Tags

SS.7.C.1.6