Foundational Documents

  1. Declaration of Independence

    1. The document declaring the 13 colonies free from britain. Started the revolutionary war.

    2. Key Concepts

      1. Taxation without Representation

      2. Natural Rights

      3. social contract theory

      4. right to overthrow the government when it does not provide for the people

  2. Articles of Confederation

    • The first constitution of the United States

    • Left most of the power to the states

    • Key weaknesses

      1. lack of a central authority

      2. inability to levy taxes

      3. no executive branch

      4. unanimous voting requirement made it difficult to pass laws.

  3. Constitution of the United States

    • Established the government of the United States

      1. Checks and Balances

      2. Federalism

      3. Separation of Powers

    • Contains the bill of rights (first 10 amendments), plus some other important amendments

      1. Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition

      2. Right to bear arms

      3. No quartering of troops

      4. No unreasonable searches or seizures

      5. Indictment, double jeopardy, protection against self-incrimination (right to remain silent), due process

      6. right to a speedy trial

      7. lawsuits & juries

      8. no cruel and unusual punishment

      9. the rights in the constitution are not the only rights

      10. everything not mentioned goes to states

    • Other Important Amendments

      • 13th: ended slavery

      • 14th: due process & equal protection clause

      • 15th: Gave African Americans the right to vote; cannot deprive vote on basis of color

  4. Federalist 10 (James Madison)

    • Madison argues that the causes of faction are inherent in human nature, arising from differences in opinions, beliefs, and attachments to leaders or groups.

    • He suggests that since factions are inevitable due to these natural differences among people, the focus should be on managing their effects rather than attempting to eliminate them entirely.

    • A large republic, with a diverse population and a wide variety of interests, would help to control the effects of factions by making it more difficult for any single faction to dominate. This approach acknowledges the reality of factions while seeking a practical way to mitigate their potential harm to the political system.

  5. Brutus 1 (Brutus)

    • argued against a large central republic.

    • stated that a large central republic could:

      1. result in governmental overreach

      2. threaten state sovereignty

      3. threaten individual’s constitutional freedoms.

  6. Federalist #51 (James Madison)

    • discussed the needs for checks and balances as well as separation of powers in order to prevent tyranny

  7. Federalist #70 (Alexander Hamilton)

    • Hamilton argues in this paper that one central executive would be more beneficial because one could:

      1. respond more effectively to crises

      2. keep secrets when necessary

      3. take decisive action