Documents Rolling Summative
Declaration of Independence
How it can be used in the argument FRQ
It can be used to explain and defend the founding principles of what a democratic government should be and what values it should govern by
Explain two of the five democratic ideals that are found in the Declaration of Independence
1 = Natural rights, meaning the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness should be guaranteed to all citizens of the US
2 = Social contract, meaning that if the government is no longer serving the people’s rights and needs, the people have the right to overthrow the government
Articles of Confederation
How it can be used in the argument FRQ
It can be used to explain the need for a strong federal government by showing the effects of a weak one
Explain two specific weaknesses that it created and why each caused a problem
1 = The Articles of confederation made it illegal for the federal government to collect taxes, making the country unable to pay back its debts or start new projects
2 = The articles of Confederation made it illegal for the federal government to have a military which made the US vulnerable to foreign invasions or rebellions such as Shay’s rebellion
Brutus 1
How can it be used in the argument FRQ
It can be used to argue for a stronger state government rather than a stronger federal government
Explain two concepts of how government should be structured
1= Brutus 1 argued that individual states knew the needs of their citizen’s better, as they were closer and more affected by the prosperity of the citizens
2 = Brutus 1 also argued that individual states knew the needs of their states best as far as policy and funding, as they are closer to that region of the nation
Federalist #10
How can it be used in the argument FRQ
Federalist #10 argues that a strong centralized government is best at controlling interest groups (factions)
Explain two concepts of how the government should be structured
1 = It argues that factions will form because of the large population and that the only way to ensure that no one group gained too much power, on a strong central was needed
2 = It also argues that by having state governments with oversight from the federal government, uniform policy ensures a unified nation with accurate views on what individual states needed
Federalist #51
How it can be used in the argument FRQ
Federalist #51 argues that having built-in checks and separation for each branch ensures no one branch has too much power
Explain two concepts of how the government should be structured
1= It establishes that separation of powers, having the legislative branch create the laws, the executive enforces them and the judiciary branch interpret them that not any branch has too much power
2 = It also established that checks and balances help to regulate each branch, for example, the presidential veto power helps to ensure that Congress does not get too much power
Federalist #70
How it can be used in the argument FRQ
Federalist #78 argues that a strong executive is vital for a democratic government
Explain two concepts in support of why this document was written
1 = One element of this document establishes that a string executive figure is needed because they can make decisions very quickly in times of crisis
2 = Another thing Federalist #70 establishes is that one string executive ensures that decisions are made effectively, as groups of people don’t have to discuss it.
Federlist #78
How can it be used in the argument FRQ
Federalist #78 argues the need for INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY
Explain two concepts in support of why this document was written
1 = One element of this document is that a judiciary branch is not influenced by parties or public opinions and is instead focused on the law. This is helped by the lifetime terms.
2 = Another element is that the judiciary has the power to declare laws made by congress unconstitutional which is an additional check