The Purpose of the Preamble to the Constitution
The Preamble to the Constitution is full of well considered words. It sets the scene to the most important document of the United States of America.

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Full Text of the Preamble to the Constitution
The full text of the Preamble to the Constitution is as follows:

CONSTITUTION
OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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.

Who Wrote the Preamble to the Constitution?
The Preamble to the Constitution was written was written during the Philadelphia Convention (now known as the Constitutional Convention) which convened between May 25, 1787 and September 17, 1787. The Preamble to the Constitution was written by the members Committee of Style who were selected by the delegates of the Philadelphia Convention. The names of the men who wrote the Preamble to the Constitution were William Samuel Johnson, of Connecticut; Alexander Hamilton, of New York; Gouverneur Morris, of Pennsylvania; James Madison, of Virginia; and Rufus King, of Massachusetts.

The Preamble to the Constitution - Historic References
The Declaration of Independence also contained a Preamble. This was a customary practice of the times. John Adams wrote the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence which used highly emotive words to announce the separation of the colonies from Great Britain. The writers of the Preamble to the Constitution also made use of strong words in a short paragraph to convey the purpose of the most famous document in the history of America.

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The Preamble to the Constitution for kids: Meaning of the Words and 'Classical Liberalism'
The words used in the Preamble to the Constitution have great meaning, impact and historical significance. The concept of 'Popular Sovereignty' is found in the Preamble of the Constitution.  Popular Sovereignty is a political philosophy and ideology called 'classical liberalism' that emphasizes the freedom of the individual by limiting the power of the government. The meaning of the words and phrases are explained as follows:

Preamble to the Constitution for kids: Meaning of the Words of the Amendment

Preamble to the Constitution: "We the People..."

Meaning:  A show stopping, opening phrase emphasizing the unity and resolve of all the citizens of the newly formed nation. The famous phrase We the People" makes the Constitution the creation of the American people, not the States.

Preamble to the Constitution: "...of the United States..."

Meaning: The words 'the United States' again emphasizes unity by virtue of the actual name for the newly formed nation. The nation no longer consisted of colonies, it consisted of individual, but united, states.

Preamble to the Constitution: "...in Order to form a more perfect Union "

Meaning: The words reflect the determination to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and form a strong union of many individual states.

Preamble to the Constitution: "establish Justice..."

Meaning: The lack of justice extended to the colonies by Great Britain was one of the main reasons for the War of Independence. To establish justice was to determine rights and administrate laws that were just or fair to all citizens

Preamble to the Constitution: "insure domestic Tranquility..."

Meaning: The aim to achieve a state of peace and quiet, free from stress or violence at home.

Preamble to the Constitution: "provide for the common defence..."

Meaning: The ability to defend the rights and lives of the citizens of the United States.

Preamble to the Constitution: "promote the general Welfare..."

Meaning: Aiding or promoting well-being; "for the common good". The ability to undertake governmental provision of economic assistance to persons in need.

Preamble to the Constitution: "and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity..."

Meaning: Patriots were fighting for liberty and freedom from the British rule in the American War of Independence. Liberty was seen as a means of happiness which promoted prosperity and welfare for the present and for all time.

Preamble to the Constitution: "do ordain and establish..."

Meaning: The word 'ordain' means to regulate, or establish, by decree, or law. To constitute laws by lawful authority.

Preamble to the Constitution: "this CONSTITUTION for the United States of America...."

Meaning: The Constitution provided the framework for a government to make, execute and interpret the laws of the new nation.

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Preamble to the Constitution - President George Washington Video
The article on the Preamble to the Constitution provides overview of one of the major events in American History. The following video will give you additional important facts and dates about the political events experienced by the 1st American President whose presidency spanned from April 30, 1789 to March 4, 1797.