AP Gov. Foundational Documents

Mayflower Compact

Main Purpose: Established self-government for Plymouth Colony

Key Ideas: Social Contract, Majority Rule

Declaration of Independence

Main Purpose: Declared independence from Britain

Key Ideas: Natural Rights, Popular Sovereignty, Consent of the governed

Articles of Confederation

Main Purpose: First US governed framework

Key Ideas: Weak national government, strong state powers

Constitution

Main Purpose: Created the current federal government structure

Key Ideas: Federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances

Fed. 10

Main Purpose: Argued Constitution could control factions

Key Ideas: Large republic limits faction power

Fed. 51

Main Purpose: Explained checks and balances

Key Ideas: Separation of powers, “ambition counteracts ambition”

Brutus 1

Main Purpose: Anti-Federallist argument against Constitution

Key Ideas: Fear of strong central government threatening liberty

Letter from Birmingham Jail

Main Purpose: Defended civil disobedience during the CRM

Key Ideas: Justice, equality, moral responsibility to resist unjust laws

Fed. 78

Main Purpose: Explained the role of the judiciary

Key Ideas: Judicial review, courts as the least dangerous branch, lifetime tenure ensures independence