AP Gov foundational documents

Declaration of Independence (1776)

Separate US needed from Monarchy of Great Britain; Individual Rights Violated by king; natural rights exist in this world

The Articles of Confederation (1781-1788)

First Constitution Failed; no ability to tax (voluntary); no President or Executive; no central government as each state maintained sovereignty; ONE vote per state in Congress; all states to change the doc

The US Constitution (1788)

Popular Sovereignty; Federalism; Checks and Balances; Separation of Powers; Republicanism; NO MENTION OF Judicial Review for courts; Bill of Rights not an original part (agreed to be added to gain some anti-federalist support)

Federalist No 10 (1787)

Mischiefs of factions can not be eliminated, but curbed; representative and pluralist democracy; factions would neutralize one another; Republic>Democracy in large nation

Brutus No 1 (1787)

Constitution threatens states; necessary and proper clause and supremacy clause are both too expansive; country too large to elect a group to represent everyone; country too diverse as is; 13 states can NOT be 1

Federalist No 51 (1788)

Separation of powers guards against tyranny; bicameral legislature elected differently with different powers ensures branch doesn’t dominate; checks and balances should cause branches to compete with one another

Federalist No 70 (1788)

One person executive ensures unity and accountability; energetic person; need to place blame on ONE person is easier than the blame game a group might cause;

Federalist No 78 (1788)

Judicial branch being independent is essential to securing liberties; serving for life w/good behavior ensures a judicial branch free from legislative interference and politics; assumes judicial review is coming

Letter from a Birmingham jail by MLK (1963)

Dr King’s response to “A Call For Unity”, a letter penned by Southern White clergy;Social movements expand civil rights; NONVIOLENT direct action as a final means; postponed until after election to not bias the result or taint the movement as a mere political stunt;