PREAMBLE

 

We the Intelligent Life-Forms of the United Federation of Planets Determined:

 To save succeeding generations from the scourge of intra-galactic war which has brought untold horror and suffering to our planetary social systems, and
  To reaffirm faith in the fundamental intelligent life-form rights, in the dignity and worth of the intelligent life-form person, to the equal rights of male and female and of planetary social systems large and small, and
  To establish conditions under which justice and mutual respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources on interplanetary law can be maintained, and
  To promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

And to These Ends:

 To practice benevolent tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbors, and
  To unite our strength to maintain intra-galactic peace and security, and
  To ensure by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods that armed force shall not be used except in the common defense, and
  To employ intra-galactic machinery for the promotion of economic and social advancement of all intelligent life-forms,

Have Resolved to Combine our Efforts to Accomplish These Aims:

 Accordingly, the respective social systems, through representatives assembled on the planet Vulcan, who have exhibited their full powers to be in good and due form, have agreed to these Articles of Federation of the United Federation of Planets, and do hereby establish an inter-planetary organization to be known as the United Federation of Planets.