Foundational documents

federalist 51

James madison, separation of powers, checks and balances , legislative branch needs to be bicameral , three branches of government is needed for check and balances.

Federalist 10

James Madison, a large republic helps control factions, in order to diminish the factions a high number of representatives will be efficient in representing diverse interests and mitigating the effects of factions.

Brutus 1

Anti-federalists, encouraged New Yorkers to reject the constitution. The immense power of the federal government requires the people to sacrifice their liberties. bill of rights is necessary for a protection of rights, Congress posses too much power.

declaration of independence

breakup letter from england, all people are created equal, natural rights of life, liberty, and property. government is required to protect the natural rights of the people. people are responsible for making sure that the government is changed if the natural rights are not being granted by the government

articles of confederation

weak central government, extremely limited central government powers, congress is the only branch, each state’s vote is required to pass a bill, no executive branch, no president

Federalist 70

Alexander Hamilton, unity in the executive branch is necessary for a strong government, a single executive, like the president fosters accountability and decisive action, especially in a time of crisis.

Federalist 78

Alexander Hamilton, the judicial branch is weak, but it does its job of checking constitutionality in the government. Judges serve lifetime terms to maintain the independence of the judges from political influence on their decisions in the Supreme Court. Judicial review upholds the constitution