AP Gov - Unit 1: Federalist #10/51, Brutus #1, Declaration of Independence

what was the main idea for the federalist number 51?

Written to defend the separation of power, the basis of the constitution, which is important for the preservation of liberty. Madison uses the fact that human nature is the reason why we need checks and balances.

What was the main idea of federalist number 10?

Madison state that one of the strongest arguments in favor of the Constitution is the fact that it establishes a government capable of controlling the violence and damage caused by factions (whom destroy citizens rights). Truly believed that in a republic was the best form of government to deal with factions.

What was the main idea of Brutus #1?

The government that the constitution is establishing, will have too much power to the point where they will be uncontrollable

(Won't effectively preserve the liberties of the citizens in the U.S. and the states). He was all about protecting people and state governments

What was the main purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

To declare the colonies independence from Britain through a list of actions that the king/British government did that was unfair and wrong to them. Jefferson was trying to reach out to the American colonists through this document, for the sake of a revolution, and to inform the British government of their decision.

According to Madison, which branch is the most powerful? (Federalist 51)

Legislative branch; but the constitution address this power because it divided into two sections, making it less powerful as the other two branches. Also having a president in the executive branch balances the power that the legislative branch has.

What are factions in what dangers do they present to the rights of citizens (federalist 10)?

A faction is where multiple citizens are brought together and motivated by similar urges, in feelings, unfavorable to the privileges of other citizens/the whole community. It presents dangers to citizens rights because one faction will be in control and make choices that go against common good, and they will suffer because of it.

Define pure democracy, and its ability to handle factions (federalist 10).

A small populated city, whose assemble the government in person (the people make decisions themselves instead of representatives); they fall to the mischiefs of factions, and are not a cure for it at all

Why is a republic great for managing factions (federalist 10)?

Because Republics can be large, their are more people that are choosing representatives, which makes it difficult for bad candidates to carry out their (faction) agenda. And since they have chosen representatives, citizens' voices are more powerful and desicions can be based off their thoughts and opinions.

How does a larger number of voters lead to a better class of representatives (federalist 10)?

The larger the number of voters, the better the class of representatives will be because the voters will choose good candidates for different positions, preventing unfit candidates from getting a position. The voters will pick candidates with a good image and morals.

What does Madison say about there being "just right proportion of representative is to citizen/constituents (federalist 10)?

If there are too many electors, then representatives will not become familiar with local interest and issues. If there's too small of an amount of electors, then representatives will come too attached to the ideas of the small population, and not pursue national objects.

What evidence does Madison use to support his claim about the best form of government (federalist 10)?

Within the Republic, the representatives will give a better voice to the people than they would to themselves, so they would still be free, and have the ability to make their own choices.

How does Brutus use the 'necessary and proper' clause and the 'supremacy clause' to support his claim in this document (Brutus 1)?

He uses it to support his claim because both clause stress, extreme power to the national government rather than the states

How does Brutus use the size of the United States to support his argument (Brutus 1)?

He states that because the US large in size there will be such an increase in the population that they will reach a point where the US citizens won't be able to elect a representative that will truly speak for them because they're not that focused on citizens is smaller areas, they're more focused on the entire country or federal government

Why should our opinions in public governments be mostly alike (Brutus 1)?

If our views in the government are extremely different, then representatives, and their opinions, will clash with one another to the point where decisions can't be made.

what are two categories of comparison that can be used to compare arguments in federalist #10 and Brutus #1?

-How the population, or size of country, can affect its government.

-The amount of power to the states compared to the federal government.

According to Jefferson, what was the purpose of government (declaration of independence)?

To secure the rights of men (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness). Also, Jefferson state the government derives its powers from the consent of the governed.

What does Jefferson mean by all men are created equal (declaration of Independence)?

He was referring to the common man vs the monarchy/King. They both should have equal natural rights and are under equal law and one doesn't have higher power of the other. Women and African-American men/woman are left out of the statement.

What were three of the kings violations that Jefferson listed (declaration of independence)?

-Took away jury in court

-King had control over judges pay/position so they had to do with he told them

-he kept among the colonies, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of their legislatures.

Was King George the third completely responsible for the entire list of grievances (declaration of independence)?

No, and Jefferson knew that. A good bit of the grievances came from parliament, but Jefferson needed to get people to see that there were more reasons decide against the king. If the people new parliament was one to blame, people may have wedged more of their war against Britain, and the declaration may not have even come to be.

What act lead to standing armies being kept among colonists (declaration of independence)?

The intolerable act

What act led to people having to quarter large bodies of armed troops (declaration of independence)?

The quartering act

What act led to the cutting off of colonists trade with all parts of the world (declaration of independence)?

The Navigations act

What act led to the taxes on the colonists (declaration of independence)?

The stamp act

What are the new rights of the colonies that Jefferson lists at the end of the Declaration of Independence?

They were full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and do other acts which independent states may of right do

Whose wife gave advice about the Declaration of Independence? What was the advice?

Abigail Adams (James Adams' wife). She said that they should be more generous to women in these documents, if they don't, one day, they will have a rebellion on their hands.