AP Gov Required Documents Review

Federalist No. 10

• Warns against factions

• Says that factions are inevitable BUT…

• A large republic will counteract factions by diluting their influence. It argues that a diverse society will reduce the likelihood of tyranny by the majority.

Federalist No. 51

• Power should be divided to prevent if from becoming too centralized

  • 3 branches of government (legislative, executive and judicial)

  • House and Senate in the legislative branch\

• Checks and balances, every branch has to check and balance the others 

• Ambition must counteract ambition

Federalist No. 70

• Should be a single executive b/c more than one person will lead to confusion

• Debate and disagreement is good for congress but is not good for the executive

• Presidents are necessary b/c there needs to be someone who can act and make decisions quickly

• A strong, singular executive ensures accountability and efficiency.

• Energy in the executive is essential for good government.

Federalist No. 78

• The judicial branch is the least dangerous branch b/c they can’t enforce their decisions

• Supreme Court Justices should be appointed for life b/c if their roles are temporary they will be more greatly influenced by the other branches 

• Judicial review ensures the Constitution remains the supreme law of the land

• an independent judiciary protects rights and liberties from legislative and executive encroachments

Brutus l

• Anti-federalist- says that the constitution gives too much power to the central government

• Big central gov will destroy state governments and individual liberties

• Too many factions exist for congress to accurately represent everyone

The US Constitution

Defines government structure, dividing power among three branches, and protecting individual rights

1st Amendment

Freedom of religion (establishment and free exercise clauses), speech, press, assembly, petition for redress

2nd Amendment

Freedom of arms/right to bear arms

3rd Amendment

Gov cannot force people to house soldiers w/o consent (only allowed during wartime or is prescribed by law)

4th Amendment

Protection from unwarranted search & seizure (exclusionary rule)

5th Amendment

No self-incrimination or double jeopardy; due process

6th Amendment

speedy trial by jury, right to counsel

7th Amendment

trial by jury in civil cases

8th Amendment

no cruel or unusual punishment

9th Amendment

These are not all your rights (there are rights that you have that go beyond just the BOR)

10th Amendment

rights not explicitly given to the federal gov, are reserved for the states and the people

11th Amendment

protects state govs from being sued in federal court by individuals, specifically citizens of another state or foreign country

12th Amendment

Process for selecting pres & VP in E.C.

13th Amendment

No slavery or involuntary servitude

14th Amendment

Due process, equal protection, citizenship, selective incorporation

15th Amendment

Black males have the right to vote

16th Amendment

Congress can impose a federal income tax

17th Amendment

Popular election of senators

18th Amendment

Prohibition

19th Amendment

Women have the right to vote

20th Amendment

moved the presidential inauguration from March to January 20th and congressional terms to start January 3rd

21st Amendment

Ends prohibition

22nd Amendment

• establishes presidential terms (2 terms and 2 yrs as VP)

23rd Amendment

DC votes for the president

24th Amendment

No poll tax

25th Amendment

creates clear procedures for presidential succession

26th Amendment

18 year olds can vote

Declaration of Independence

• Declares independence from Britain

• Talks about natural rights (life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness)

• Should be a limited government where the people help make decisions (popular sovereignty, etc)

Articles of Confederation

• Anti-federalist

• A weak federal gov, tries to give more power to the states

• Creates a Unicameral government 

  • Each state has 1 vote 

  • No judicial, no executive, no power to tax, no power to raise an army

Letter from a Birmingham Jail

• All people should receive equal protection under the law (14th Amendment)

• Nonviolence= the best way to create legislative change

• Justice delayed is justice denied; Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere