The Constitution · 1787
The Preamble
Why the Constitution exists
The one-line version
The Preamble says the people are making the Constitution and lists six goals. It does not give anyone powers or rights by itself.
The Preamble in plain English
We the People of the United States make this Constitution for six reasons:
- To make the states a stronger, better union
- To set up fair justice
- To keep peace inside the country
- To defend the country
- To support the well-being of everyone
- To protect freedom for ourselves and for future generations
Original text, 1787
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Phrase by phrase
We the People of the United States
- The Constitution's authority comes from the people, not from a king or the state governments.
in Order to form a more perfect Union
- To make the states work together better than they did under the Articles of Confederation.
establish Justice
- To set up a fair system of laws and courts.
insure domestic Tranquility
- To keep peace inside the country.
provide for the common defence
- To protect the country from attack.
promote the general Welfare
- To support the well-being of everyone in the country.
secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity
- To protect freedom for people now and for future generations.
do ordain and establish this Constitution
- We officially create this Constitution.
Picture it
Example. Not legal advice.
You open the Constitution and read the Preamble first. It tells you the goals, like justice and peace. The rules that carry out those goals come in the articles and amendments after it.
Myth check
MythThe Preamble gives me rights I can use in court.
FactIn Jacobson v. Massachusetts (1905), the Court said the Preamble is not a source of government power. Your rights come from other parts of the Constitution.
Myth"We the People" meant everyone could vote in 1787.
FactIn 1787, many people could not vote, including most women and enslaved people. Later amendments expanded who can vote.
Common questions
What does the Preamble say in simple terms?
It says the people of the United States are making the Constitution, and it lists why. The goals are a better union, justice, peace at home, defense, the general welfare, and liberty for now and the future.
What are the six goals of the Preamble?
The six goals are a more perfect union, justice, domestic tranquility, the common defense, the general welfare, and the blessings of liberty. In plain words: unity, fairness, peace, defense, well-being, and freedom.
Does the Preamble give you any rights?
No. The Preamble states the Constitution's goals. In Jacobson v. Massachusetts (1905), the Court said it is not a source of government power. Your rights come from other parts of the Constitution.
What does "We the People" mean?
It means the Constitution's authority comes from the people, not from a king or the state governments. An earlier draft listed the states by name instead. In 1787, though, many people, including most women and enslaved people, could not vote.
Go deeper
The scene · 1787
In September 1787, the Convention's Committee of Style polished the final draft. Gouverneur Morris of Pennsylvania is credited with writing the Preamble. An earlier draft listed the states by name. The final version began instead with "We the People of the United States."
Back then
The Articles of Confederation had been written as an agreement among the states. The new Constitution was meant to rest on the people themselves. Opening with "We the People" made that clear.
Words that changed
- “Posterity”
ThenYour descendants and all future generations.
NowThe same, but rarely used in everyday speech.
- “ordain”
ThenTo officially order or set up.
NowToday it usually means making someone a religious leader. Here it means officially creating something.
- “Welfare”
ThenWell-being or the common good.
NowOften means government aid programs. Here it means the well-being of the whole country.
Key cases
- 1905
Jacobson v. Massachusetts
The Preamble states the Constitution's purposes but is not a source of any government power.
More history and context
The Preamble is the opening sentence of the Constitution. It says who is making the Constitution and why. It does not give the government any powers or give you any rights by itself.
In Jacobson v. Massachusetts (1905), the Supreme Court said the Preamble is not a source of government power. Government powers and your rights come from the rest of the Constitution. Courts sometimes mention the Preamble to explain the Constitution's goals.
"We the People" was a deliberate choice. The Articles of Confederation, the earlier system, spoke in the name of delegates of the states. The Preamble says the Constitution's authority comes from the people.
Quick check
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