Foundational Documents- AP Government and Politics

  1. Declaration of Independence

  2. Articles of Confederation

  3. The Constitution

  4. Federalist 10

  5. Brutus 1

  6. Federalist 51

  7. Federalist 70

  8. Federalist 78

  9. Letter from Birmingham Jail

  1. Declaration of Independence.

    1776.

    Thomas Jefferson.

    Focused on Natural Rights, Social Contract, and the right of the people to overthrow unjust government.

    “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” - John Locke’s philosophy

    establishes foundation of american Democracy

  2. Articles of Confederation

    1781

    First Failed constitution of the US.

    Weaknesses: no central authority, inability to levy taxes, difficulties passing laws, no executive branch.

    Believed in power to the people and to the states, so much so that any central government could not achieve progress.

    Demonstrated a balance needed for federalism

  3. The Constitution

    1788

    Replaced the Articles of Confederation

    established a new structure of government for the US

    Included: separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism.

    Included the Bill of Rights to satisfy natural rights and the anti federalists who did not want a strong central government (see Brutus 1)

  4. Federalist 10

    James Madison

    Factions

    Rallied for a large republic to mitigate the issues caused by factions.

  5. Brutus 1

    Robert Yates

    threat to individual and state power due to the new constitution

    wrote by anti federalists who did not want a centralized government because they believed it would threaten their individual rights.

    Their arguments led to the Bill of Rights being added to the Constitution as a way to ensure individual and natural rights were respected and upheld under the new constitution.

  6. Federalist 51

    James Madison

    Checks and Balances/ Separation of Powers to prevent tyranny

  7. Federalist 70

    Alexander Hamilton

    Executive Branch

    rallied for a single executive.

  8. Federalist 78

    Alexander Hamilton

    Judicial Branch

    mentions the necessity of judicial independence and judicial review. claims that the judiciary branch has least power so should not be viewed as a threat.

  9. Letter from Birmingham Jail

    1963

    Martin Luther King Jr.

    nonviolent protests. civil disobedience to combat unjust laws, interconnectedness of communities.

    civil rights activism