ap gov required documents

Declaration of Independence

the document recording the proclamation of the second Continental Congress (4 July 1776) asserting the independence of the colonies from Great Britain.

The Articles of Confederation

First Constitution that failed; no ability to tax; no President or Executive; no central government as each state maintained sovereignty; One vote per state in Congress; all states to change the doc.

The US constitution

replacing the weak Articles of Confederation to establish a stronger federal government with separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism

Federalist 10

Argues that factions are bad but inevitable; A large, representative republic with a decentralized system of government can prevent majority factions from assuming too much power.

Brutus 1

Constitution threatens states; necessary and proper clause and supremacy clause are both too expensive; country too large to elect a group to represent everyone; country too diverse as it is; 13 states cannot be 1.

Federalist 51

Claims that the separation of powers and checks and balances will curb tyranny

Letter from a Birmingham Jail:

individuals have a moral duty to break unjust laws through nonviolent direct action rather than waiting indefinitely for justice

Federalist 70

Argues for a powerful, solitary executive

Federalist 78

Cites the importance of an independent judiciary; judges need life terms.