Foundational Documents

Articles of Confederation

first document to govern the newly independent country. Articles were weak. State driven. Fearful of creating a tyrannical central government. Couldn’t raise taxes, raise an army, regulate commerce. Largely inefficient. 

Federal vs anti federal

Brutus No. 1

a paper that spoke out against the formation of a strong central government. Believed power better in the hands of the states and the people. 

Anti federal

Constitution

strong central government. Bill of Rights, guaranteed personal liberties and rights  (only way some states would ratify the constitution), supremacy over the states. 

Flexible, but need good detail if using

Declaration of Independence

a list of grievances that the colonists wanted addressed, when disregarded, the colonists broke away from Great Britain. 

Breakup letter to Great Britain

Federalist 10

fear of creating factions and majorities that would ruin the new democracy 

Want lots of factions not just one or two

Federalist 51

checks and balances in the government. Separation of power.

Federalist 70

the characteristics of a strong individual leader that would lead the United States Government. 

Executive branch/power

Federalist 78

creation of the Supreme Court, functions as an individual branch, able to exist outside the purview of any other branch. 

Letter from a Birmingham Jail

Dr. Martin Luther King Junior writes about the injustices facing African Americans and the need to remain unified to the goal to end racial segregation and that separate is not equal. 

Equal rights, fair treatment, civil rights!!!

bill of rights

The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, guaranteeing individual liberties and protecting citizens from government overreach.

amendment 1

speech, religion, assembly, press

amendment 2

firearms

amendment 3

Quartering

amendment 4

Search and Seizure

amendment 5

Self-Incrimination

amendment 6

Trial by jury

amendment 7

Civil trials

amendment 8

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

amendment 9

enumerated rights (you have them, even if not listed)

amendment 10

Any issue not explicitly stated in the Constitution falls to the states (reserved powers)