Foundational Documents Summary

Declaration of Independence

  • 1776: Declared independence from Britain.
  • Listed grievances against the King.
  • Focused on natural rights: life, liberty, and property (pursuit of happiness).
  • Influenced by Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke (social contract).

Articles of Confederation

  • First attempt at US government: weak central government, most power with states.
  • Loose "league of friendship."
  • No national executive, judiciary, or currency.
  • State courts could overturn national laws.
  • Unicameral legislature (each state one vote).
  • Congress had limited authority (e.g., couldn't levy taxes or raise an army).

U.S. Constitution

  • Replaced Articles of Confederation.
  • Main points: separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism, and national supremacy.
  • 7 Articles, 27 Amendments (first 10 are the Bill of Rights).
  • Important clauses: Supremacy, Commerce, Necessary and Proper, War Power, Establishment, Free Exercise, Equal Protection, Due Process, Full Faith and Credit.

Federalist 10: Factions

  • Addresses how to control factions.
  • Can't remove causes (liberty, differing opinions).
  • Large republic is the only way to control the effects of factions.
  • Representatives should be patriotic and just.
  • Large republic = plurality of interests = less likely for majority to have common motives.

Federalist 51: Separation of Powers

  • Government must control the governed and itself.
  • Each department must have its own will.
  • Legislative authority dominates, so divide it (bicameral legislature).
  • Give each branch means and motives to resist encroachment.
  • Dividing power: federal/state, legislative/executive/judicial.

Federalist 70

  • On the Executive Branch.
  • Argues for a strong executive (president).
  • One person in charge avoids blame shifting and separation.
  • Energy is the most important quality of the executive.

Federalist 78

  • On the judiciary.
  • Judiciary has no influence over the sword or the purse, merely judgment.
  • Judiciary bound to Constitution.
  • Justifies judicial review to carry out will of people by striking down laws conflicting with the Constitution.

Brutus 1

  • Anti-federalist argument.
  • Main arguments:
    • Gives too much power to the central government.
    • Too large a state to have a free republic.
    • Standing army = bad idea.
  • Central govt has too much power through A1, S8 (Necessary & Proper Clause) and A6 (Supremacy Clause)

Letter from Birmingham Jail

  • 1963: MLK responds to white Southern religious leaders.
  • Four steps in a nonviolent campaign: collection of facts, negotiation, self-purification, and direct action.
  • Direct action creates tension that forces negotiation and leads to policy change.