Directions: The following is the preamble of the U.S. Constitution. In this short paragraph the
framers (Authors) of the document set forth the sole purposes of the NEW Government they
were creating. Please read the paragraph.
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect
Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common
defense, 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.”
Next list the 7 goals (Purposes) stated in the preamble (Hint look for the verbs & you will find
the goals).
1. Purpose: ________________________________________________________
Statement: _______________________________________________________
Example: ________________________________________________________
2. Purpose: ________________________________________________________
Statement: _______________________________________________________
Example: ________________________________________________________
3. Purpose: ________________________________________________________
Statement: _______________________________________________________
Example: ________________________________________________________
4. Purpose: ________________________________________________________
Statement: ___________________________________________________
Example: _____________________________________________________
5. Purpose: _____________________________________________________
Statement: ____________________________________________________
Example: _____________________________________________________
6. Purpose: _____________________________________________________
Statement: ____________________________________________________
Example: _____________________________________________________
7. Purpose: ______________________________________________________
Statement: _________________________________________________________
Example: __________________________________________________________
Match the following statement that you believe best applies to the purpose in the
preamble. Write in the statement and then find an example that you believe exemplifies
the purpose.
Statements:
Keeping peace & order within the borders of the United States.
We the people have given our approval of this document & now wish to implement
its words.
To protect the guaranteed rights & liberties of the citizens of the United States &
future generations.
To create a unified allegiance of states for the good of all the states.
To provide essential services for the good of all the citizens of the United States
Protect the citizens of the United States against foreign enemies.
Laws written by the government are fair, reasonable, & impartial (Do not
discriminate) to all citizens of the United States.
Examples:
Our military mission in Afghanistan to find Osama Bin Laden & destroy terrorists
training facilities.
The first 10 Amendments to the Constitution that guarantee that the govt. cannot
infringe upon religious rights, free speech, unlawful search & seizures, etc.
Unemployment insurance, school lunch programs, the Interstate Highway System,
Laws protecting the environment (Clean air & water) & National Parks.
The F.B.I. & the U.S. Justice department, Federal Air Marshals, the Immigration
Service, the National Guard.
Laws outlawing “racial profiling” (Targeting specific minority groups without
evidence of any wrong-doing) and discrimination based on religion, race, ethnicity,
etc.
A single currency for all the United States, unified system of weights & measures,
etc.
A document that is brief in word but flexible enough to have guided the U.S. for
over 200 years that has only been changed (Amended) 27 times in its history.