What is the purpose of the Preamble to the Constitution?

The Preamble to the Constitution serves to articulate the foundational purposes and guiding principles behind the establishment of the Constitution itself. It provides a succinct summary of the intentions of the framers, including goals such as forming a more perfect union, establishing justice, ensuring domestic tranquility, promoting the general welfare, and securing the blessings of liberty. This introductory statement effectively sets the stage for the specific articles and amendments that follow and contextualizes the function of the Constitution as a whole.

The roles of establishing the federal judiciary, outlining the powers of states, and defining the amendment process are all important aspects of the Constitution but are addressed in separate sections of the document itself. The Preamble does not delve into these specific mechanisms but rather focuses on the overarching aspirations behind the creation of the government. Thus, option C accurately captures the essence of the Preamble and its role in the Constitution.