AP Government - Foundational Documents

Federalist Paper 10

An essay composed by James Madison which argues that liberty is safest in a large republic because many interests (factions) exist. Such diversity makes tyranny by the majority more difficult since ruling coalitions will always be unstable.

Federalist paper 51

Separation of Powers

-Each branch should be independent but their actions are dependent on the other branches

-Checks and Balances give departments the power to resist influences on other branches

Federalist Paper 10

An essay composed by James Madison which argues that liberty is safest in a large republic because many interests (factions) exist. Such diversity makes tyranny by the majority more difficult since ruling coalitions will always be unstable.

Federalist paper 51

Separation of Powers

-Each branch should be independent but their actions are dependent on the other branches

-Checks and Balances give departments the power to resist influences on other branches

Brutus I

Main concerns about constitution: Gov w/ uncontrollable power, Necessary & proper clause, Supremacy Clause

Concstitution takes away from state power. Not enough communication in a large republic. Taxing is the biggest power and should belong to the states

U.S. Constitution

"The supreme law of the land." Written in 1787 at Philadelphia Convention to replace Articles of Confederation and create stronger central government. Outlines structure & power of 3 branches of national government. Oldest written constitution still in use (but amended 27 times plus myriad informal amendments).

Articles of Confederation

1st Constitution of the U.S. 1781-1788 (weaknesses-no executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade)

Declaration of Independence

The document approved by representatives of the American colonies in 1776 that stated their grievances against the British monarch and declared their independence. Link to: Locke's natural rights.

Bill of Rights, 1791

Popular term for the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution. The amendments secure key rights for individuals and reserve to the states all powers not explicitly delegated or prohibited by the Constitution.

10th Amendment

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Federalist Paper 70

Executive branch need a strong leadership

Concerns:

-Inconsistent because its one person

-Power for one can mean dictatorship

Necessary because:

-Executive is face of nation

-Essential to foreign attacks, administration of laws, protection of property, security of liberty,

Federalist 78 (Hamilton)

Judiciary branch isn't too powerful because it doesn't have the power of the purse or sword; can't tax, enforce laws, or bring the nation to war

Letters from Birmingham Jail

Letter in which MLK preaches and explains civil disobedience "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" Explained why blacks were discontented to "wait" and the meaning of the nonviolent protest.

Declaration of Independence

To declare the 13 colonies independent from Britain.

Declaration of Independence

Provides Justification for the break from Great Britain / Declaration of natural rights / A foundation for popular sovereignty - "consent of the governed" / A list of 27 grievances against King George III

Declaration of Independence

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Declaration of Independence

"these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown"

Articles of Confederation

To unify the 13 colonies under a new national government.*Note - This new government will fail because of a lack of military and taxing powers.

Articles of Confederation

Contains 13 articles outlining the new national government. Emphasized state sovereignty (power remained with the states) / Unicameral Congress (one chamber legislature)

Articles of Confederation

Weaknesses - Limited power to tax / No national judiciary / Congress could not raise or maintain an army / Required consent of all 13 states to make changes / No regulation of commerce (business) between the states

Constitution

To replace the Articles of Confederation with a new national government that gives more power to the central government while maintaining some powers to the states (federalism).

Constitution

7 Articles / 3 branches:congress, president, judiciary / Bicameral Congress (two chamber legislature) / 27 Amendments added after the original articles / Supreme law of the land.

Constitution

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect union..... establish Justice, promote the general Welfare, and secure the blessings of Liberty"

Federalist Papers #10

To discuss the issue of factions (interest groups and political parties) within the government.

Federalist Papers #10

Although factions are not desired, they are inevitable - to take away factions would be to take away freedom "Liberty is to faction what air is to fire". If you can't eliminate factions, you must control their effects.

Federalist Papers #10

Control Their Effects - Large republic - In a large republic, a variety of groups are competing for power and thus no one group will overtake the rest (Pluralism).

Federalist Papers #10

Control Their Effects - Elected representatives - Electing "fit characters" who place the public good ahead of selfish interests will limit faction control.

Federalist Papers #10

Control Their Effects - Dispersing power - Dispersing power across the states and a national government helps prevent majority interest from gaining control.

Federalist Papers #51

To make an argument in favor of separation of powers and checks and balances in government. These two principles will control abuses by the majority. Also, each branch should stand independent from the other in order to function to its full extent.

Federalist Papers #51

"In framing a Government which is to be administered by men over men... you must first enable the Government to control the govern; and in the next place, force it to control itself...Ambition must be made to counteract ambition".

Federalist Papers #70

To make an argument in favor of a single executive (president).

Federalist Papers #70

Energy - "the most necessary qualification" - an energetic president will respond to a crisis quickly.

Federalist Papers #70

Unity - "Wherever two or more persons are engaged in any common enterprise, there is always danger of difference of opinion." If the executive consists of two people, they may form two different opinions and split the people.

Federalist Papers #70

Accountability - "if it be lodged in the hands of one man...the very circumstance of his being alone, will be more narrowly watched and more readily suspected". One person can be watched and held accountable more easily than two.

Federalist Papers #78

To make an argument in favor of an independent judicial branch.

Federalist Papers #78

Least Dangerous Branch - "The Executive holds the sword... The legislature commands the purse, The judiciary, on the contrary, has no influence over either the sword or the purse".As a result the judiciary would be the least dangerous.

Federalist Papers #78

Life Tenure - "adherence to the Constitution cannot be expected from judges who hold their offices by temporary commission." Life terms ensure independence.

Federalist Papers #78

Judicial Review - "A constitution is and must be regarded by the judges, as a fundamental law. It therefore belongs to the judges to ascertain its meaning, as well as the meaning of any act proceeding from the legislative body."

Brutus #1

Written by the Anti-federalists to oppose ratification of the Constitution and maintain a state centered government. *Important in influencing the addition of the Bill of Rights. Also, encouraged a broad, participatory democracy.

Brutus #1

To argue against a strong central government. The country would be too large for one central government and the government would have too much power.

Brutus #1

Country is too large: (1) Too many opinions - "the interests of the people should be similar. If not...there would be a constant clashing of opinions".

Brutus #1

People wouldn't know their leaders - In such a large area, leaders would be detached from the people and are more likely to promote self-interests.

Brutus #1

Too much power - The "necessary and proper clause" and "supremacy clause" gives too much power to the central government.

Letter from Birmingham Jail

The fight for social justice in the United States (Dr. King)

Letter from Birmingham Jail

During a nonviolent march in Alabama, Dr. King was arrested. While in jail he argues against the idea of "wait".

Letter from Birmingham Jail

To argue that all people should be equal under the law, as embodied in the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment.

Letter from Birmingham Jail

The steps of civil disobedience and nonviolent campaigns (1) collection of the facts to determine injustices (2) negotiation (3) self-purification (4) direct action.

10th amendment

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Fourteenth Amendment

the constitutional amendment adopted after the Civil War that states, "no state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."