The preamble is the introduction to the Constitution. It outlines the general goals of the framers: to create a just government and to ensure peace, adequate national defense, and a healthy, free nation. With its first three words, "We the People," the preamble emphasizes that the nation is to be ruled by the people - not a king or a dictator, not the president, Supreme Court justices, members of Congress or state legislators. The U.S. Supreme Court held in 1905 (Jacobson v. Massachusetts) that the preamble is not a source of federal power or individuals' rights. Rather, all rights and powers are set out in the articles and amendments that follow.

Concepts

the constitution, the united states constitution

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Additional Tags

the preamble, preamble

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Classroom Considerations

• Knovation Readability Score: 5 (1 low difficulty, 5 high difficulty)