Foundational documents

  • Brutus 1: To argue AGAINST the ratification of the constitution 

  • Feared it gave the federal  government absolute and uncontrolled power

  • Considered one of the anti federalist papers because he believed a true republic could only work in a small territory (states)

  • EXAM TIP: use for prompts mentioning popular sovereignty


  • The U.S Constitution 1787: Made to replace and create a stronger version of the articles of confederation, and create a strong federal government with defined limits and powers.

  • Created key principals helping keep the federal government, and states in check.

EXAM TIP: use for almost every prompt regarding government structure.

Articles of confederation 1781: Helped unify the 13 colonies make them live together more

  • Issues: It had to judicial, or executive branch, no power to tax, and no national army

  • EXAM TIP: usually cited to show why a stronger central government was necessary


Federalist 10 (James Madison): To argue that a large republic is the best way to prevent the mischiefs of factions 

  • Argued that factions (Special interest groups) are inevitable, but in a large republic there are so many different factions so no specific one can dominate the others

  • EXAM TIP: Use this to discuss a pluralist democracy and the benefits of a strong national government


Federalist 51(James Madison): To explain how the structure of “the new government” provides built in protection against factions

  • Proposal towards the creation of the constitution 

  • Created checks and balances to ensure no specific group gets more power than the others.

  • EXAM TIP- The go to document for any questions regarding checks and balances

(Checks n Balances: A constitutional system distributing power among branches of government)


  70 (Alexander Hamilton): Alexander Hamilton wrote this to explain why the new government (the constitution) needed one single president instead of a group of people in charge.

  • EXAM TIP- Use this prompts regarding  EXECUTIVE POWER or presidential efficiency


Letter to Birmingham Jail(Martin luther king jr., 1963): 

  • To defend strategy of nonviolent direct action and demand immediate fulfillment of the 14th amendment equal protection clause

  • King believes citizens have a moral responsibility to break unjust laws through civil disobedience 

  • EXAM TIP- use this for prompts on civil rights, social movement, or the 14th amendment

Federalist 78  (Alexander Hamilton): Alexander hamiltons argument on why the Judicial Branch (Supreme court) is the least dangerous branch of government and why they need to stay in power for life

  • Argued this due to the reason that they don't have power of the purse or power of the sword but only judgment

  • Anti-federalist were unsure of the idea of life tenure

  • EXAM TIP- Use this for questions regarding the supreme court or judicial powers


The Declaration of independence 1776: The formal “Breakup” document regarding why the 13 colonies will be breaking away from Great Britain

  • Mentioned key principals such as popular sovereignty, Natural rights, and social contract between the people and the government.

  • EXAM TIP- use this when arguing about limited government and popular sovereignty