SSCG3: The student will demonstrate knowledge of the United States Constitution. b. Analyze the purpose of government stated in the Preamble of the Constitution. WARM UP Fill in the following passage from the Preamble (Write it out in your notebook! Do the best you can!) : “We the people of the United States, in order to _____________________________________________________, establish ______________________, insure _____________________________________, provide for the _____________________________________, promote the __________________________________________________, and secure the blessings of liberty to ________________________________________________, do ordain and establish this ________________________ for the United States of America”
What is the Preamble and introduction to? The Constitution of the United States of America.
What does “in order to form a more perfect union” mean? To come together and make things better for everyone who lives in our country.
What does “establish justice” mean? To make things as fair as possible for everyone. Examples: laws that are fair, court system, consequences, etc.
What does “insure domestic tranquility” mean? To try and make sure that we live peacefully together. Examples: keep things peaceful within the U.S. so that everyone can provide for themselves and live peacefully
What does “provide for the common defense” mean? To protect the U.S. from other people or countries who may try to harm us, as in war, and to help us if we have been harmed. Military, Department of Homeland Security
What does “promote the general welfare” mean? The well-being of citizens will be taken care of as much as possible by the federal government. Those in need will be cared for. Healthcare, educational needs, fire protection, police protection, FEMA, Salvation Army
What does “secure the blessing of liberty to ourselves and our posterity” mean? To protect our rights and freedoms and to not let anyone take them away from us or the generations to come. Being able to choose our religion, say what we think, etc.
Why do you think these specific goals were so important? The Framers wanted a government that worked. They were fearful of having a government with too much power, such as with a king; they were also fearful of having a government that did not work, such as with the Articles of Confederation. Each of these goals related to something that the Framers were either trying to “fix’ or to provide protection from.