ap gov required docs

when was the dec of independance written and by who

1776, thomas jefferson

what was the purpose of the dec of independence

to announce the independence of the north american colonies from great britain

what was the first main point of the dec of independence

explained how abuses by the british crown violated individual rights

what was the second main point of the dec of independence

justified the colonists’ separation from britain

when were the articles of confederation written

1777, ratified 1781

what was the purpose of the articles of confederation

to establish in independent govt for the united states

what was the first main point of the articles of confederation

to set up structure for new government

what was the second main point of the articles of confederation

states retained most of the governing authority

how many states’ votes among the 13 original were required to enact laws

9

how would the articles of confederation have been amended

unanimous agreement among states

what were the main points of failure of the articles of confederation

congress had no authority to tax people directly, raise or maintain an army, regulate commerce among the states, or establish a national currency

when was the constitution written

1787, ratified 1788

what was the purpose of the constitution

to create a new government structure to replace the failed articles of confederation

what was the first main point of the constitution

created a democratic republic

what was the second main point of the constitution

3 branches of government that separate legislative, executive, and judicial functions (federal system)

what is the federal system (federalism)

divides power between national and state governments

what was the third main point of the constitution

system of checks and balances created to keep any one branch from dominating

what was article 1, section 1 of the constitution about?

legislative vesting clause, establishing that all federal legislative powers are vested in a bicameral congress

what was article 1, section 2 of the constitution about?

establishing the house of representatives, mandating elections every 2 years, setting requirements, providing for population-based apportionment, and the power of impeachment

what was article 1, section 3 of the constitution about?

senate selection, requires 2 per state, term, qualifications, power of trial over impeachments

what was article 1, section 4 of the constitution about?

elections, allowing state legislatures the authority to determine “times, places and manner” of holding congressional elections

what was article 1, section 5 of the constitution about?

powers and duties of both chambers, rules of procedure

what was article 1, section 6 of the constitution about?

compensation, immunity from arrest, “speech or debate clause,” which shields members of congress from prosecution for legislative speech

what was article 1, section 7 of the constitution about?

legislative process, requiring all revenue bills to originate in the house

what was article 1, section 8 of the constitution about?

enumerated powers, including the authority to tax, borrow money, regulate commerce, declare war, and maintain armed forces, as well as “necessary and proper” clause

what was article 1, section 9 of the constitution about?

powers denied to congress, focusing on civil liberties, taxation, and financial accountability

what was article 1, section 10 of the constitution about?

powers denied to states, such as treaty making, coining money, and declaring war

what was article 2, section 1 of the constitution about?

establishing the executive branch, vesting power in a president, terms, qualifications, creating electoral college, presidential succession, compensation, oath of office

what was article 2, section 2 of the constitution about?

powers and duties of the president, such as commander in chief, authorizing them to require cabinet opinions, grant pardons, make treaties (with 2/3 senate approval), and appoint ambassadors, judges, and other public officers

what was article 2, section 3 of the constitution about?

legislative, diplomatic and law-enforcement duties of the president

what was article 2, section 4 of the constitution about?

the grounds and officials subject to impeachment and removal from office

what was article 3, section 1 of the constitution about?

establishing the federal judiciary, vesting power in one supreme court and lower courts established by congress

what was article 3, section 2 of the constitution about?

defining the federal judicial power’s scope, trial by jury

what was article 3, section 3 of the constitution about?

defines, limits, and outlines the punishment for treason

what was article 4 of the constitution about?

the relationship between the national government and the state governments, and the relationship among the states

what was article 4, section 1 of the constitution about?

“full faith and credit clause,” requiring states to honor and respect public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states

what was article 4, section 2 of the constitution about?

interstate duties, regulates movement of people between states

what was article 4, section 3 of the constitution about?

admission of new states, granting congress authority to admit new states into the union and manage federal territory

what was article 4, section 4 of the constitution about?

obligations of the united states government to the states, ensuring a republican form of government

what was article 5 of the constitution about?

amendment process

what was article 6 of the constitution about?

general provisions, supremacy clause

what was article 6, section 1 of the constitution about?

validating all debts and contractual engagements incurred by the united states before the constitution’s adoption (honoring financial obligations made under AoC). establishes the constitution as the supreme law of the land

what was article 7 of the constitution about?

ratification

what is the 1st amendment about?

freedom of religion, speech, the press, to assemble, and petition (1791)

what is the 2nd amendment about?

right to bear arms

what is the 3rd amendment about?

prohibiting quartering of soldiers during peacetime without consent

what is the 4th amendment about?

right against unreasonable search and seizure

what is the 5th amendment about?

right to due process, grand jury, against double jeopardy and self-incrimination

what is the 6th amendment about?

right to speedy, public trial, a jury, to know the changes, to counsel, to confront and compel witnesses

what is the 7th amendment about?

right to jury trial in civil cases, judges may not overrule jury’s finding of fact

what is the 8th amendment about?

right against excessive bail and fines ad cruel and unusual punishment

what is the 9th amendment about?

the enumerated rights do not limit other rights retained by the people

what is the 10th amendment about?

powers not granted to the u.s. are retained by the states and people

what is the 11th amendment about?

citizens of one state may not sue the gov of another state (1798)

what is the 12th amendment about?

electoral votes for president and vice president are cast separately (1804)

what is the 13th amendment about?

abolition of slavery (1865)

what is the 14th amendment about?

states may not deny US citizens the privileges and immunities of citizenship, nor equal protection of the law (1868)

what is the 15th amendment about?

right to vote may not be denied on the basis of race (1870)

what is the 16th amendment about?

income tax authorized (1913)

what is the 17th amendment about?

senators to be elected by popular vote (1913)

what is the 18th amendment about?

prohibition of intoxicating beverages

what is the 19th amendment about?

right to vote may not be denied on basis of gender (1920)

what is the 20th amendment about?

presidential term to begin on jan 20, congress to convene on jan 3 (1933)

what is the 21st amendment about?

repeal of 18th amendment (1933)

what is the 22nd amendment about?

president is limited to 2 terms of office or a total of 10 years (1951)

what is the 23rd amendment about?

gives presidential electors to the district of columbia (1961)

what is the 24th amendment about?

prohibits poll taxes (1964)

what is the 25th amendment about?

presidential succession, vice president vacancies. followed JFK’s assassination (1967)

what is the 26th amendment about?

giving the right to vote to those 18 years or older (instead of 21) (1971)

what is the 27th amendment about?

congressional pay raises, preventing legislators from raising their own pay (1992)

what is the first key idea of the u.s. constitution?

limited government

what is the second main idea of the constitution?

“We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the united states of america.” (Preamble)

when was federalist no.10 written and by who?

1788, james madison

what was the purpose of federalist no.10?

to explain the benefits of a large republic over a small democracy, in support of the proposed constitution to control the violence, instability, and injustice caused by “factions” AKA interest groups/parties.

what was the first main point of federalist no.10?

that factions (political parties) are dangerous and need to be controlled

what was the second main point of federalist no.10?

the large size of the u.s. will keep permanent factions from forming

what was a key idea presented by federalist no.10?

that eliminating factions would eliminate liberty

when was brutus no.1 written and (probably) by who?

1787, possibly Melancton Smith

what was the purpose of brutus no.1?

to argue that the proposed constitution grants the national government too much power

what was the first main point of brutus no.1?

the necessary and proper clause grants congress unlimited power

what was the second main point of brutus no.1?

the supremacy clause will allow the national government to override the states in every dispute, personal liberty will be at risk

when was federalist no.51 written and by who?

1788, james madison

what was the main purpose of federalist no.51?

to argue that there are sufficient safeguards built into the proposed constitution to protect against tyranny

what was the first main point of federalist no.51?

the combination of separation of powers and checks and balances will keep any one branch from becoming too powerful or able to abuse their powers

what was the second main point of federalist no.51?

dividing the legislative branch into two houses will add further protection against abuses

“if men were angels, no government would be necessary” is a quote from what?

federalist no.51

“in framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself” is a quote from what?

federalist no.51

“…in a republic of the extent of this continent, the people…would be acquainted with very few of their rulers: [they] would know little of their proceedings, and it would be extremely difficult to change them” is a quote from what?

brutus no.1

when was federalist no.70 written and by who?

1788, alexander hamilton

what was the purpose of federalist no.70?

to explain the benefits of a single executive as opposed to an executive committee

what was the first main point of federalist no.70?

if two or more people control executive power, there is the danger of disagreement, which can cause the country to split in support of one or the other executives

what was the second main point of fedralist no.70?

if something goes wrong, it is more difficult to pin blame when there is more than one executive, each of whom will deny responsibility and blame the other(s)

what was the third main point of federalist no.70?

an executive committee will be more susceptible to collusion among its members to abuse their power for their own benefit

“when power, therefore, is placed in the hands of so small a number of men, as to admit of their interests and views being easily combined in a common enterprise, by an artful leader, it becomes more liable to abuse, and more dangerous when abused, than if it be lodged in the hands of one man; who, from the very circumstances of him being alone, will be more narrowly watched and more readily suspected, and who cannot unite so great a mass of influence as when he is associated with others” is a quote from what?

federalist no.70

when was federalist no.78 written and by who?

1788, alexander hamilton

what was the purpose of federalist no.78?

to explain the benefits of lifetime appointment for federal judges

what was the first main point of federalist no.78?

that the judicial branch is the least dangerous of the three branches because it has no power over the military or government spending

what was the second main point of federalist no.78?

that although appointed for life, judges can be removed by impeachment if they abuse power or are corrupt

what was the third main point of federalist no.78?

that lifetime appointments gives justices independence from political pressure

“[the judiciary] will always by the least dangerous to the political rights of the constitution; because it will be the least in a capacity to annoy or injure them…[since it] has no influence over either the sword or the purse” is a quote from what?

federalist no.78