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Citizenship · Principles of American Democracy

The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?

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Correct answer

We the People

  1. A Government of the
  2. B When in the
  3. C All men are
  4. D We the People

Why this is the answer

The Constitution begins 'We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union...' The opening phrase 'We the People' is the foundational statement of American democracy: the government's authority comes from the people, not from a king or any other source. This was a radical idea in 1787 when most countries were ruled by monarchs claiming divine right. The phrase is often cited in discussions of constitutional interpretation and civic identity. 'All men are created equal' is from the Declaration of Independence, not the Constitution. The Preamble continues to explain the purposes of the Constitution: justice, domestic tranquility, common defense, general welfare, and the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity.
Source: USCIS Civics Question 3

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About this topic: Principles of American Democracy

These questions cover the foundational documents — the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration — and the principles of self-government they embody. This is one of 6 Civics (100 Questions) questions on principles of american democracy, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our Citizenship exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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