Lecture Notes Flashcards

Declaration of Independence

  • Justified the separation of the colonies from British rule.

Articles of Confederation

  • Established only a legislative branch of government.
  • Required unanimous consent from all states to amend the Articles, rendering it difficult to adapt to changing needs.
  • Suffered from a lack of ability to pass legislation quickly and efficiently.
  • Proved inadequate in suppressing uprisings, highlighting the need for a stronger national government.
  • These weaknesses ultimately led to the drafting of the Constitution.

Constitution

  • Serves as the framework of the U.S. government.
  • Establishes a system of separation of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
  • Implements federalism, dividing powers between the national and state governments.

Federalist No. 10 (Madison)

  • Addresses the issue of factions (groups united by common interests) in a republic.
  • Argues that factions are inevitable due to the nature of human beings.
  • Posits that a large republic is better equipped to prevent tyranny by factions.
  • A larger republic dilutes the power of any single faction, making it more difficult for any one group to dominate the government.

Brutus No. 1

  • An Anti-Federalist paper expressing concerns about the proposed Constitution.
  • Feared that a centralized government would become too powerful and potentially oppressive.
  • Argued that the Constitution could lead to a loss of individual liberties.

Federalist No. 51 (Madison)

  • Explains and defends the separation of powers and the system of checks and balances.
  • Argues that dividing power among different branches of government and allowing each branch to limit the power of the others is essential for preventing tyranny.
  • "Ambition must be made to counteract ambition."

Federalist No. 70 (Hamilton)

  • Advocates for a strong, single executive (president).
  • Argues that a unitary executive is necessary for energy and efficiency in the executive branch.
  • Asserts that a single executive is more accountable to the people than a plural executive.

Federalist No. 78 (Hamilton)

  • Discusses the importance of an independent judiciary.
  • Explains the power of judicial review, which allows the judiciary to determine the constitutionality of laws.
  • Argues that an independent judiciary is necessary to protect the Constitution and individual rights from legislative overreach.

Letter from Birmingham Jail (MLK)

  • Addresses the concepts of just and unjust laws.
  • Argues that unjust laws are not true laws and should not be obeyed.
  • Defends the use of civil disobedience as a means of protesting unjust laws and promoting social change.