Lecture Notes Flashcards

Flashcards generated from lecture notes for exam review.

Declaration of Independence

Secures the natural rights of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. Separated The US from Great Britain to have independent, sovereign states.

Articles of Confederation

States remain sovereign, weak federal government, and required nine out of 13 states to agree to pass a law. All 13 had to agree to amend the articles.

Constitution: Article One

Congress. Powers to levy taxes, regulate commerce, borrow money, raise an army, and use the elastic/necessary and proper clause.

Constitution: Article Two

The President. Commander in chief of armed forces, ensures laws are executed.

Constitution: Article Three

Supreme Court. Enables Congress to create inferior federal courts, jurisdiction over federal laws, and disputes between states. President appoints federal judges confirmed by the Senate, who serve for life.

First Amendment

Freedom of speech, press, and religion. Includes the free exercise clause and the establishment clause.

Second Amendment

Right to keep and bear arms.

Fourth Amendment

No illegal searches.

Fifth Amendment

Protection against double jeopardy; includes the due process clause.

Sixth Amendment

Right to an attorney/legal counsel.

Tenth Amendment

Rights not given to the federal government or denied to the states are reserved to the states/people (federalism).

Fourteenth Amendment

Citizenship clause (everyone born in the US is a citizen), due process clause (fair treatment), and equal protection clause (equal protection of laws).

Twenty-Fifth Amendment

Vice president becomes president if the president dies, resigns, or is incapacitated. Congress can remove presidential power with a two-thirds majority.

Federalist No. 10

Speaks against factions and political interests, which can be curbed in a representative democracy. Many factions prevent domination by one.

Brutus No. 1

Argument against the federal government and the new Constitution; claims the supremacy and necessary and proper clauses give the federal government unlimited power. Favors state governments and direct democracy.

Federalist No. 51

Separation of powers and checks and balances to protect from tyranny. Breaking society into many interests protects from factions.

Federalist No. 17

Written by Hamilton arguing that the Articles of Confederation are weak and advocating for a strong unitary executive to defend his own power.

Federalist No. 78

Federal judiciary should be the weakest branch, with lifetime appointments for judges and the power of judicial review.

Letter from a Birmingham Jail

A man who sees injustice and doesn't act is just as bad as the unjust. Churches and civil disobedience must act for justice and to challenge unjust laws.