1. Preamble Breakdown GET YOUR NOTEBOOK AND A HANDOUT FROM THE FRONT TABLE!!!

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?

4. We the People of the United States, Who are We the People ? Every person in the United States 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. We the People of the United States, Popular Sovereignty The idea of Popular Sovereignty was used by the framers of the Constitution as a founding principle of the government of the United States of America. What does this mean??? The people have all the power! The people of the U.S. can hold elections and change the government.

6. …in order to form a more perfect Union, What is a “Union” in context of the Preamble? The “Union” refers to the United States.

7. …establish Justice, What does “justice” mean? Fairness; the act of applying or upholding the law

8. …insure domestic tranquility, What does “domestic” mean? Within a country What does “tranquility” mean? Peace domestic + tranquility = ? Peace within a country

9. …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?

10. …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.

11. …secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, What does “liberty” mean? freedom What does “posterity” mean? All future generations

12. …do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. What does “ordain” mean? Establish formally or by law

13. So what does the Preamble mean to the people?

14. The Goals of the Preamble  To Form a More Perfect Union  Wanted states to be more unified  To Establish Justice  Applied fairly to every American regardless of race, religion, and gender  To Insure Domestic Tranquility  Peace and order at home (US)  To Provide for a Common Defense  Gives the government power to protect citizens  To Promote the General Welfare  Promote the well-being of all its citizens (health, happiness)  To Secure the Blessings of Liberty  Protect freedom and rights for its people

15. Think About It…  Make a list of things that the Government can or can’t do to meet that goal.

16. Essential Questions 1. Explain how the Preamble serves as an introduction to the U.S. Constitution. 2. What does “We the people” mean? 3. How is the principle of popular sovereignty expressed in the Preamble?