Which document opens with the words “We the People”?

The United States Constitution opens with the words “We the People.”

This opening is the Preamble, which introduces the Constitution’s purposes: forming a more perfect Union, establishing justice, ensuring domestic tranquility, providing for defense, promoting general welfare, and securing liberty. The Preamble is followed by the Constitution’s seven articles.

The phrase expresses popular sovereignty, meaning that governmental authority is presented as deriving from the people. It does not mean the Constitution was approved by a nationwide popular vote; ratification was carried out by conventions in the individual states. That distinction is important when interpreting the founding process.

The Declaration of Independence and Articles of Confederation are also foundational documents, but neither begins with “We the People.” The Bill of Rights is made up of amendments added later to the Constitution. The phrase therefore identifies the Constitution’s Preamble specifically.