Foundational Documents

Declaration of Independence:

• TJ said that sometimes people (U.S. & Britain) must split apart to maintain human rights of life, liberty, & pursuit of happiness. To secure rights, governments must derive power from consent of the governed & people have the right to alter/abolish it → the Monarchy ain’t doing this. 

  • Influenced by Locke (nat. Rights, state of nature), Montesquieu (checks & balances)

Brutus No. 1:

• Brutus = Anti-federalist, counters Federalist No.1

• Claims Constitution gives absolute power to gov (hates on N & P clause, Supremacy clause) → this would undermine individual states

• Argues small republic better, big central gov. can’t attend to U.S. bc so many different ideas in states

Letter From Birmingham Jail:

• Dr. King argued nonviolent direct action helps raise tension necessary to bringing about a negotiation, eventually leading to a policy change which will advance civil rights → in response to white southern religious leaders

Articles of Confederation:

• Colony delegates wrote this during revolution as first form of government for U.S., wanted to prevent tyranny so it had limited power

• Strengths included limited presidential term, some state representation

• Weaknesses included lack of balanced powers, no national military, required unanimous consent to pass laws (slow), and no federal taxes (debt)

→ led to Shay’s rebellion bc farmer’s mad about no protections & uprose

Constitution:

• Article 1: Legislative

  • Enumerated powers of Congress: taxes, money stuff, declare war, raise military, N & P clause

• Article 2: Executive

  • Electoral College, presidential powers

• Article 3: Judicial

  • Original jurisdiction (hear case for first time), appellate jurisdiction (appeals from lower courts)

• Article 4: fed relationship w/ states (federalism)

• Article 5: amending constitution (propose, ratify)

• Article 6: supremacy clause

• Article 7: ratification

→ bill of rights added (1st 10 amendments)

Federalist No. 10:

Argued factions are inevitable but a large republic is the best form of government to control this because it extends the sphere of influence & brings in more people’s ideas