This is the original language of the Preamble to the Constitution. How does it differ from what you know of the Preamble as it actually appears today?

Note that both versions begin with the words “We, the People.” What principle of government does this illustrate? (popular sovereignty). Why was it important to change the opening words to delete the names of the individual states and say “United States”? Look at the six clauses after “We, the People of the United States…” These are the six goals the Founding Fathers believed should form the basis of the new government. The U.S. Constitution is the oldest one in use today, anywhere in the world, and that its form has been copied by the majority of governments who have written constitutions since. Preambles usually identify the source of power in a government and state the goals of the new government.

PREAMBLE – TEXAS CONSTITUTION Humbly invoking the blessings of Almighty God, the people of the State of Texas, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

PREAMBLE – CONSTITUTION OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA We, the People of the Confederate States, each State acting in its sovereign and independent character, in order to form a permanent Federal government, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity – invoking the favor and guidance of the Almighty God – do ordain and establish this Constitution for the Confederate States of America.

PREAMBLE – FEDERAL CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED MEXICAN STATES (1824) In the name of God, all powerful, author and supreme legislator of society: The general constituent Congress of the Mexican Nation, in the discharge of the duties confided to them by their constituents, in order to establish and fix its political independence, establish and confirm its liberty, and promote its posterity and glory, decree as follows.

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN We, Talal the First, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, in accordance with Article 25 of the Constitution, and in pursuance of the decision of the Senate and House of Representatives, hereby approve this revised Constitution and decree its promulgation.

PREAMBLE – CONSTITUTION OF THE ARGENTINE NATION We, the representatives of the people of the Argentine Nation, gathered in General Constituent Assembly by the will and election of the Provinces which compose it, in fulfillment of pre-existing pacts, in order to form a national union, guarantee justice, secure domestic peace, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves, to our posterity, and to all men of the world who wish to dwell on Argentine soil: invoking the protection of God, source of all reason and justice: do ordain, decree, and establish this Constitution for the Argentine Nation.

PREAMBLE – CONSTITUTION OF LIBYA (written in l969) The Revolutionary Command Council, in the name of the Arab people in Libya, who pledged to restore their freedom, enjoy the wealth of their land, live in a society in which every loyal citizen has the right to prosperity and well-being, who are determined to break the restraints which impede their growth and their development, who will stand with their brothers from all parts of the Arab Nation in the struggle for the restoration of every inch of Arab land desecrated by imperialism and for the elimination of all obstacles which prevent Arab unity from the Gulf to the Ocean. . . In the name of the popular will, expressed on September 1 by the Armed Forces who overthrew the monarchical regime and proclaimed the Libyan Arab Republic in order to protect and strengthen the Revolution until it attains its objectives of freedom, socialism, and unity. The present Constitutional Proclamation is made to provide a basis for the organization of the state during the phase of completion of the national and democratic revolution, until a permanent constitution is prepared, defining the objectives of the Revolution and outlining the future course.

Preambles of the World Country Source of Power Goals implied in the Preamble Organization of country, rights guaranteed