Federalist Papers and Letter from Birmingham Jail

Flashcards about key Federalist Papers and Letter from Birmingham Jail

Federalist No. 51

Federalist Paper arguing for divided powers between three branches of government and between national and state governments.

Checks and Balances

Each branch of government has some control over the others; the government must be powerful enough to control the people, but also control itself.

Federalist No. 70

Federalist Paper arguing for a single, "energetic" executive (president).

Energetic Executive

Energy in the executive is the leading character in the definition of good government.

Cabinet

A body of advisors to the President rather than a plural executive.

Federalist No. 78

Federalist Paper arguing for an independent judiciary with the power of judicial review.

Judicial Branch

"The least dangerous branch" because it cannot enforce its decisions.

Judicial Review

The power of the judiciary to determine whether acts of Congress are constitutional.

Letter from a Birmingham Jail

A letter written by MLK arguing for the urgency of justice and equality.

Justice delayed is justice denied

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

Nonviolent Direct Action

Countered the claim that civil rights protesters were agitating, they were merely pointing out tensions that already existed.