Why is a preamble to a constitution important?

Answer 1

The Preamble to the Constitution is an introductory statement of the principles at work in the Constitution. Courts have referred to it as reliable evidence of the Founding Fathers' intentions regarding the Constitution's meaning and evidence of what they hoped the Constitution would achieve.

Answer 2

The Preamble to the Constitution was considered essential to the validity of the government it created, because it starts out by acknowledging the "We, the people..." are creating this government. There were several important reasons for this. Foremost was that political philosophies being developed in the Age of Enlightenment by Thomas Hobbes and John Locke and others began to recognize that government owed its authority and purpose to the people it governed. Prior to that, kings felt they owed no duty to their subjects, but that their subjects owed the kings their loyalty. This was called the "social contract of government" theory.

Therefore, the Constitution was written as if it were a contract between the people and the new government to be be governed in this specific way. In keeping with the social contract theory, the colonies had fought a revolutionary war against Great Britain to win their independence. One of the chief complaints against Great Britain was that Great Britain acted without any say by the colonies. The "no taxation without representation" cry was the main sign that legitimate government must allow the people governed to have a say in what happens. This sentiment was clearly stated in the Declaration of Independence and was carried over into the Constitution to make it evident that the new government was consistent with the ideals that started the Revolutionary War.

One other reason was more practical. Before the Constitution, the colonies were governed under the Articles of Confederation. These were not strong enough to allow the colonies to act as a single nation and just about everyone knew they had to be amended to correct its faults. The Constitutional Convention was convened for the single purpose of amending the articles. There never was an idea that the Convention was going to create something to completely replace the Articles; but the delegates knew the Articles could not be amended. The Constitutional Convention discussed creating a whole new replacement of the Articles but since the delegates were actually exceeding their authority, they discussed the matters in secret.

When the Constitution was finished the question arose on how it was to be adopted. It had to be adopted in such a way that it showed it really was the will of the people of the United States rather than just the few delegates at the Convention. The delegates felt that the Constitution had to be the will of the people to be legitimate and so it was stated clearly at the beginning of the document. In a true effort to make the Constitution the will of the people, the Convention decided it should be adopted by means of constitutional ratifying conventions in each state rather than just by the legislatures of each state. This way, the people would be choosing representatives whose single job was to vote for or against the Constitution.

Answer 3

The Preamble to the United States Constitution is a brief introductory statement of the Constitution's fundamental purposes and guiding principles. It states in general terms, and courts have referred to it as reliable evidence of, the Founding Fathers' intentions regarding the Constitution's meaning and what they hoped the Constitution would achieve.

Answer 4

The US Constitution's preamble serves as a concise summary of the points covered in the main document. Think of it like an abstract to a paper. It is important because the document requires a concise statement of the goals and points to be discusses.

Answer 5

The preamble introduces the Constitution by explaining the goals and purposes of the document.

Answer 6

The preamble explains the reasons why the Framers of the Constitution made our government a republic. The preamble helps explain why the constitution was written.

Answer 7

Because it states the purpose of the U.S. Constitution.

Not only The US constitution but other countries too, this to understand and state clearly the law.

Answer 8

To set the the scene