Swanstrom AP Gov Foundational Documents

Declaration of Independence

All people have natural rights (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness), governments exist to protect these rights, and power comes from the consent of the governed, meaning people can overthrow a government that fails to protect their rights

Articles of Confederation

established a "league of friendship" where states kept most power, creating a weak central government with a unicameral Congress where each state had one vote, no power to tax or regulate trade, and no executive/judicial branches, aiming for state sovereignty but ultimately proving too feeble to govern effectively, states kept fighting. NOT UNITED

US Constitution: Article 1

Legislative Branch (makes the laws)

US Constitution: Article 2

Executive Branch (enforces the laws)

US Constitution: Article 3

Judicial Branch (rules on the laws)

US Constitution: Article 4

States - balance between state and national gov't (Federalism)

US Constitution: Article 5

Amending the constitution (making changes)

US Constitution: Article 6

Supremacy of Nat'l Law

US Constitution: Article 7

Ratifying the Constitution (9 of the original 13 colonies had to agree)

US Constitution: 1st Amendment

Protects freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly, and petition

US Constitution: 2nd Amendment

The right to keep and bear arms

US Constitution: 3rd Amendment

No forced quartering of troops in homes

US Constitution: 4th Amendment

Protects individuals from unreasonable searches or seizures, the right to have warrants issued before arrest or search

US Constitution: 5th Amendment

Right to a grand jury indictment in criminal cases, protection against double jeopardy and self-incrimination, right to due process of law, and just compensation when private property is taken for public use

US Constitution: 6th Amendment

During criminal prosecutions: speedy and public trial by an impartial jury, confront witnesses, compel favorable witnesses to testify in one's defense, and assistance of defense counsel.

US Constitution: 7th Amendment

Right to trial by jury in certain civil suits

US Constitution: 8th Amendment

Protection against excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishment

US Constitution: 9th Amendment

Protection of rights not listed in the Constitution

US Constitution: 10th Amendment

Powers not delegated to the fed government, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states or to the people

US Constitution: 11th Amendment

An individual cannot sue a state in federal court

US Constitution: 12th Amendment

Separate ballots for President and Vice President.

US Constitution: 13th Amendment

Abolished slavery except as a punishment for a criminal offense

US Constitution: 14th Amendment

Equal Protection - no state shall deny equal protection under the law. If you are born or naturalized in the U.S. then you are a citizen of the U.S.

US Constitution: 15th Amendment

You cannot prevent a person from voting because of race, color, or creed.

US Constitution: 16th Amendment

Income tax

US Constitution: 17th Amendment

Popular election of US Senators

US Constitution: 18th Amendment

Prohibition

US Constitution: 19th Amendment

Women get the right to vote

US Constitution: 20th Amendment

The President takes office on January 20th instead of March 4th

US Constitution: 21st Amendment

Repeal prohibition

US Constitution: 22nd Amendment

The President can only serve two terms

US Constitution: 23rd Amendment

Washington, DC residents can vote for President

US Constitution: 24th Amendment

Anti-poll tax

US Constitution: 25th Amendment

Lays down the rules for who becomes the president if the president dies/resigns

US Constitution: 26th Amendment

18-year-olds get to vote

US Constitution: 27th Amendment

Congress cannot accept a pay raise until next term

Brutus 1

- A large, consolidated national government under the Constitution is a threat to individual liberties and state sovereignty.

- Argument against the Constitution (Antifederalists)

- The U.S. is too big - Government will be too far away

- Too many different interests

- The government is too powerful and would abuse its power

- Supremacy/Necessary and Proper Clause

Federalist no. 10

James Madison: A large republic with diverse interests is the best defense against harmful political "factions," preventing any single group from dominating and protecting minority rights

Federalist no. 51

- U.S. Constitution's structure of separation of powers (legislative, executive, judicial)

- Checks and balances provide "double security" to protect rights, ensuring no single branch becomes too powerful.

-dividing power between federal and state governments (federalism)

Federalist no. 70

-argues for a strong, energetic, and unitary executive (one president), essential for effective government, national security, and law enforcement

- while also ensuring safety through accountability mechanisms like impeachment and dependence on the people (one person to blame).

Federalist no. 78

- Lifelong Appointments: necessity of an independent judiciary, explaining that lifelong judicial appointments are crucial to protect the Constitution and individual liberties.

- establishes the concept of judicial review, where courts can declare laws unconstitutional

- The judiciary is the "least dangerous branch" of government because it lacks the power of the purse or sword and relies on reasoned interpretation

Letter from a Birmingham Jail

MLK

-defends nonviolent direct action

- justifies civil disobedience against unjust laws

-criticizes white moderates and churches for inaction

-emphasizes the interconnectedness of justice ("Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere")