Foundational Documents

The 9(10?) Foundational Documents

Declaration of Independence

Author: Thomas Jefferson

a breakup letter from the American colonists to Britain, asserting their independence and reflecting democratic ideals through appeals to natural rights, the social contract, popular sovereignty, and limited government.

Articles of Confederation

Author: Continental Congress

the first governing document of the United States, emphasized state power over federal power, resulting in a weak federal government, making it useful for supporting arguments for balanced federalism and a participatory style of democracy.

Bill of Rights

Author: James Madison

The first 10 amendments of the Constitution that supports individual liberties and rights, ensuring protection against government overreach.

Constitution

Author: Constitutional Convention

establishes limited government, separation of powers, and a republican-style government, making it applicable to various concepts throughout U.S. history, providing a basis for arguments on a wide range of topics

Brutus 1

Author: Unknown

argues against the ratification of the Constitution, expressing concerns about the annihilation of state sovereignty and the inability of a distant federal government to respond to citizens, making it valuable for supporting state sovereignty, participatory democracy, and opposing federal overreach.

Federalist 10

Author: James Madison

explains the dangers of factions and advocates for a large republic to mitigate their effects, arguing that a diverse society can best protect individual liberties and promote the common good.

Federalist 51

Author: James Madison

argues that the new Constitution provides the best system for the separation of powers and checks and balances, preserving liberty by dividing power among three branches of government and between the federal and state governments, allowing it to be used to support arguments on equal branch power, checks and balances, and specific checks between branches.

Federalist 70

Author: Alexander Hamilton

advocates for a single executive rather than a committee, highlighting the advantages of swift action and accountability, making it useful for discussions on presidential power and cases of executive overreach.

Federalist 78

Author: Alexander Hamilton

focuses on the judicial branch, emphasizing the power of judicial review and the importance of an independent judiciary, enabling it to be used to debate the legitimacy of court decisions, such as controversial interpretations of the Constitution or decisions influenced by ideological makeup.

Letter from Birmingham Jail

Author: Martin Luther King JR.

argues against racial segregation laws, invoking the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment, and supports non-violent civil disobedience to address racial inequalities, serving as a foundation for civil rights arguments and demonstrating the effectiveness of social movements in shaping civil rights policies