The Constitutional Convention The Preamble Pages

May 1787 – A Secret Meeting The delegates agreed that what was discussed in the meeting was to remain secret. They believed this would help them make the best decisions. Windows were covered and sealed shut. Guards watched the doors and hallways.

What Should Be Done? The delegates had to decide if they should make the Articles of Confederation better or write a new plan of government. They decided there was no way to fix up the old plan of government. Only a new plan would work. They decided to write a new plan for government called the Constitution.

The New Plan The new plan called the Constitution of the United States would unite the nation under a strong central government. The delegates to the Constitutional Convention wrote the new rules of government with great care. Gouverneur Morris of Pennsylvania was responsible for the final wording of the Constitution.

Gouverneur Morris During his childhood, his right arm was severely damaged by scalding water, causing a lifetime disability. In 1779, at age 28, Morris shattered his leg in a carriage accident. The leg was amputated and replaced with a wooden leg. At the age of 12, Morris enrolled in King's College in New York City and graduated four years later in 1768.

The Introduction of the Constitution The Preamble is the introduction to the Constitution. It is very important because it states the goal of the Constitution: to create a better plan of government. The Constitution would make Americans citizens of a nation first and citizens of separate states second.

What Does the Preamble Say? The government gets its power from the consent of the people. The government would work toward justice and peace. It would allow the nation to defend itself. It would promote the country’s well-being. The Constitution promises that Americans would remain a free people.

The Preamble 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.

Definitions Constitution – basic beliefs and laws of a nation Justice - fairness Domestic – relating to one’s own country Tranquility – free from disturbance; peace Defense – prepared against attack Welfare – health, happiness, or well-being Posterity – future generations Ordain – an order given by one in authority