Foundational Documents


Declaration of Independence:

  • Thomas Jefferson

  • Natural rights, consent of the governed, right to overthrow unjust govt

  • Philosophical basis for democracy, justification to break from Britain


Articles of Confederation:

  • Weak central govt, strong states

  • No power to tax, no exec/judicial, unaminous vote to amend

  • failure led to creation of US Constitution


US Constitution:

  • Seperation of powers, checks and balances, federalism

  • 7 Articles + Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments)

  • Supreme law of the land, framework of US govt


Federalist #10:

  • Factions

  • Large republic best controls factions

  • Supports pluralism(many voices compete) and representative democracy


Brutus #1:

  • Constitution gives fed govt    TOO much power, risks tyranny

  • advocated for bill of rights + smaller republic


Federalist #70:

  • Strong, single executive

  • 1 president ensures energy, accountability

  • Justifies unitary presidency


Federalist #78:

  • Judicial branch

  • Judicial Reviwes, life tenure, weakest branch

  • supports Judicial independence


Letter from Birmingham Jail:

  • Civil Disobedience, injustice

  • Nonviolent protest is moral duty against unjust laws

  • Justifies direct action