Preamble to the Constitution

1.) What theory, or principle, is discussed the most in the Preamble?

• Popular sovereignty
• Judicial review
• Checks and balances

2.) According to the Preamble, who has the power?

• The people
• The federal government
• The local government

3.) According to the Preamble, what does this phrase mean: "...secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity...". (There are 2 correct answers.)

• Popular sovereignty
• The principle of federalism is explained in the Preamble.
• It takes a special process to amend the Constitution.

4.) Why were the Founding Fathers so focused on the idea of popular sovereignty?

• They recently built the Statue of Liberty.
• They were copying Asia's government.
• They recently fought a revolution against King George, who infringed on the rights of the people.

5.) According to the Constitution, what does this phrase mean: …"In order to form a more perfect union...".

• The Articles of Confederation were imperfect, so the Founders wanted to create a strong Constitution.
• The people don't have as much power as the states.
• The power shared by the local and state governments

6.) According to the Constitution, what does this phrase mean: "...to establish justice...".

• It explains the power shared by the local and state governments.
• The Anti-Federalists explained why they wanted the states to have power.
• It gives the judges power and due process of the law under the Bill of Rights.

7.) According to the Constitution, what does this phrase mean: "...domestic tranquility...".

• They wanted to create the 5th Amendment.
• The Founders wanted the government to have enough power to end rebellions, but not too much power to create their own armies.
• To give the executive branch the power to enforce laws.

8.) According to the Constitution, what does this phrase mean: "...provide for the common defense...".

• Congress can declare war according to Article I.
• The judges can interpret laws according to Article III.
• The states and federal government share power.

9.) According to the Constitution, what does this phrase mean: "...promote the general welfare...".

• The judicial branch has power, according to Article III of the Constitution.
• The government has the power to pass laws without threatening liberty.
• The U.S. should follow Canada's government.

10.) Which of the following are discussed in the Preamble of the Constitution? (There are 2 correct answers.)

• The people are the source of power for the government in the U.S.
• The legislative branch makes laws.
• It forms a more perfect union between the states and the federal government compared to the Articles of Confederation.