AP US Gov Foundational Documents

The Declaration of Independence

a non-legally binding document that announced and explained the colonies’ break from Britain; included the concepts of natural rights and consent of the governed

natural rights

the rights that all people are born with; life, liberty, and property/pursuit of happiness

consent of the governed

idea that government is just and lawful only when the people it governs consent to governance

Federalist 10

addressed factions, arguing that a large republic was the best way to mitigate the effects of factions

factions

groups of citizens that share a common interest that is in opposition with the interests of the community or the rights of others

Brutus 1

argued against the Constitution and a large republic, citing threats to liberty and state power

Articles of Confederation

the first constitution of the United States, established a confederated government with Congress as the only body of govenment; was weak due to a lack of central power and inefficiency in legislating

Shay’s Rebellion

an uprising of farmers/Revolutionary War veterans that highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

United States Constitution

replaced the Articles of Confederation and created the federal government

Article I

created the legislative branch of the federal government with a bicameral Congress, provided the powers of Congress and the procedures for legislation

Article II

created the executive branch, defining the powers and duties of the Presidency, creating the Electoral College, and providing for impeachment

Article III

created the judicial branch, made up of the Supreme Court and the lower federal courts; established the courts’ jurisdiction and powers

federalism

a system of government where power is divided between state and national governments

enumerated powers

powers explicitly given to Congress in the Constitution

Article IV

describes the relationship between states; includes the full faith and credit clause, which says states must respect the laws, and the privileges and immunities clause, which says states must not afford any privileges to their own citizens over citizens of other states

Article V

gives the amendment process of the Constitution; proposal by 2/3 of both houses or national convention, ratification by ¾ of state legislatures or conventions

Article VI

includes the Supremacy Clause, asserts the Constitution as “supreme law of the land”, it overrides conflicting state law

Article VII

provides for the ratification of the Constitution

Bill of Rights

the first ten amendments of the Constitution, included to protect individual liberties

Federalist 51

explained the structure of the government, specifically the importance of the separation of powers and checks and balances, explained how they protect liberties and prevent tyranny

separation of powers

division of power between branches of the government

checks and balances

each branch has the ability to check the power of other branches to prevent abuses of power

Federalist 70

argues for a strong executive branch and explains the advantages of a single executive

Federalist 78

explains the role of the judicial branch, as interpreters of the law, and mentions the concept of judicial review