Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Subject Area Practice Test

Which U.S. document articulates the purposes of government, including establishing justice?

1. The Declaration of Independence

2. The Bill of Rights

3. The Constitution of the United States

4. The Federalist Papers

The correct answer is: The Constitution of the United States

The Constitution of the United States is the foundational document that articulates the purposes of government, explicitly stating these goals in its Preamble. The Preamble outlines key objectives, such as establishing justice, ensuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common defense, promoting the general welfare, and securing the blessings of liberty. These elements reflect the intentions of the framers to create a government that serves its citizens effectively and fairly. In comparison, the Declaration of Independence primarily focuses on justifying the colonies' separation from Great Britain and asserting the principles of individual rights and government by consent. Although it does express values related to justice and equality, it does not serve as the governing framework that outlines the explicit functions and structure of government. The Bill of Rights, which comprises the first ten amendments to the Constitution, focuses specifically on protecting individual liberties and rights rather than articulating the overall purposes of government. The Federalist Papers are a series of essays written to support the ratification of the Constitution and explain how it works, providing context and interpretation but not outlining the fundamental objectives of the government itself. Thus, the Constitution stands as the clear and authoritative document that defines the purposes of government, including establishing justice.