Primary Source Analysis: The Constitution
Source 1: Preamble to the Constitution (1787)
"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."
1. Who does "We the People" refer to?
A) Only the President
B) Only the Founders
C) All American citizens
D) Only rich people
Answer
C) All American citizens - The Constitution was written for all the people.
2. "Establish Justice" means:
A) Build more jails
B) Create a fair system of laws and courts
C) Elect more judges
D) Punish all criminals
Answer
B) - Justice means creating a fair legal system.
3. "Posterity" means:
A) Famous people
B) Future generations
C) Past presidents
D) Wealthy citizens
Answer
B) Future generations - The Founders wanted liberty for people who came after them.
Source 2: The Pledge of Allegiance
"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
4. "Allegiance" means:
A) Anger
B) Loyalty
C) Money
D) Travel
Answer
B) Loyalty - Pledging allegiance means promising to be loyal.
5. "Indivisible" means:
A) Very large
B) Cannot be divided or separated
C) Invisible
D) Expensive
Answer
B) - The nation is united and cannot be split apart.
6. "Liberty and justice for all" connects to which branch's job?
A) Only Executive
B) Only Legislative
C) The Judicial Branch
D) All branches work together for this
Answer
D) - All three branches work to ensure liberty and justice.
More Practice
7. The Constitution is a primary source because:
A) It's in a textbook
B) It was created at the time the government was founded
C) It's very old
D) It's written in English
Answer
B) - Primary sources are created at the time of the events they describe.
8. Why did the Founders write "We the People" instead of "We the States"?
A) It sounds better
B) To show the government gets its power from the people
C) There were no states yet
D) They couldn't spell "states"
Answer
B) - The phrase emphasizes that government power comes from citizens.
9. Both documents mention "liberty." What does liberty mean?
A) Money
B) Freedom
C) A city
D) A building
Answer
B) Freedom - Liberty means the freedom to make choices.
10. How do these documents show what the Founders valued?
A) They don't show values
B) They only valued money
C) They valued justice, liberty, and unity
D) They only valued power
Answer
C) - The words they chose reveal their core values.
Next Steps
- Read the Preamble again and identify key words
- Think about what "justice for all" means today
- Continue to Claim-Evidence Writing