Is it "we the people" or "we the people of the united states"?

Question

I've heard it both ways.

I know, I am talking about the first part of the preamble.

Answer 1

It's the declaration, it's a whole document, not just one or two lines. But It starts off as "We the people of the United States"

Answer 2

Careful examination and comparison will reveal that the first three words occur in both statements. The rules of logic would therefore suggest that both are correct. DUH!

The entire preamble to the U. S. Constitution reads:

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.

Answer 3

Well, it can be either- as you said, it is the first line of the preamble of the Constitution: "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, and secure the blessings of tranquility to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

Answer 4

The first words of the Constitution (the Preamble) are "We the people of the United States." The words are not found in the Declaration of Independence. The two documents, sadly, are often confused. The Declaration of Independence holds the phrase "We hold these truths to be self-evident...life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

Answer 5

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

Answer 6

If you are quoting the Preamble of Constitution of the United States, it's either - both are the beginning of the Constitution.

Answer 7

We The People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union,establish justice,ensure domestic tranquility,provide for the common defense,and promote the general welfare, do ordain and establish these United States of America.

Answer 8

the latter in the preamble.. "We The People of the United States"

Answer 9

Technically the declaration of independence was written before we were the "united states" of America. After the declaration, the states then decided to ratify the articles of confederation (to become united - which took like another 13 years) ... so the first way is the technically legal correct answer but in reality, the second was the "intent" of the phrase ...