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declaration of independence (1776)
Written by Thomas Jefferson; influenced by the Enlightenment philosophers of his day. Provisions: Part 1 - Explains the necessity of independence for the preservation of basic laws and rights. Part 2 - Lists a series of "abuses and usurpations" by the king and his government; Jefferson claimed that this treatment violated the social contract the British monarch had with the his colonies, thereby justifying the actions his American subjects felt compelled to take. Part 3 - Ends with what is tantamount to a formal declaration of war.
articles of confederation (1781)
First American constitution that established the United States as a loose confederation of states under a weak national Congress, which was not granted the power to regulate commerce or collect taxes. The Articles were replaced by a more efficient Constitution in 1789.
article i (constitution)
Legislative Branch
article ii (constitution)
Executive Branch
article iii (constitution)
Judicial Branch
article iv (constitution)
addresses relationship between the federal and state governments
article v (constitution)
describes the process for amending the Constitution (2/3 of both houses)
article vi (constitution)
States that the Constitution is the highest law of the land. Federal and state officers and judges must uphold the Constitution. Supremacy clause
article vii (constitution)
ratification; 9/13 states must ratify
federalist 10 (madison)
factions (interest groups); minority factions controlled by majority; majority faction controlled by greater size of USA + virtuous leaders
federalist 51 (madison)
Separation of powers & checks & balances protect against tyranny
federalist 70 (hamilton)
strong single executive leader, "energy in the executive is the leading character in the definition of good government"
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
Letter from a birmingham jail (MLK)
Morality is not defined by the laws, the civil rights movement is good and necessary, direct action
14th amendment
Declares that all persons born in the U.S. are citizens and are guaranteed equal protection of the laws
13th amendment
abolished slavery
1st amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
2nd amendment
Right to keep and bear arms
3rd amendment
No quartering of troops
4th amendment
Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures
5th amendment
The Right to Remain Silent/Double Jeopardy, right to due process
6th amendment
The right to a Speedy Trial by jury, representation by an attorney for an accused person
7th amendment
Right to a trial by jury in civil cases
8th amendment
No cruel and unusual punishment
9th amendment
Citizens entitled to rights not listed in 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.
19th amendment
Gave women the right to vote
26th amendment
lowered the voting age to 18
15th amendment
States cannot deny any person the right to vote because of race.
supremacy clause
Constitution is the supreme law of the land
commerce clause
Clause stating that Congress can regulate interstate and international commerce.
due process clause (5th and 14th amendment)
part of the 14th Amendment which guarantees that no state deny basic rights to its people
necessary and proper clause
constitutional authorization for Congress to make any law required to carry out its powers
establishment clause
Part of the First Amendment stating that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."
Note 
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