9 Foundational documents

Question 1

Federalist 10

Answer 1

Strong, united republic would be more effective than the individual states at controlling “factions”
Large republic would help control factions because more reps= more opinions. This means less likely one majority could rule the ppl

Question 2

Brutus 1

Answer 2

Anti Federalist essays to encourage New Yorkers to reject const proposal
People sacrifice their liberties due to governments immense power
Bill of rights is necessary to protect the people
congress= too much power (taxation, standing army, taxes, elastic clause)
Free republic can’t exist in such a large territory
Judicial authority would give govt more power (aka tyranny)

Question 3

Declaration of Independence

Answer 3

All people are created equal (natural rights of life, liberty, property)
Government protect these rights
People have the right to change or destroy the government if they do not allow them their rights
US declares their independence from Britain

Question 4

Articles of Confederation

Answer 4

Confederation of states- limited central government
Limitations on govt made it ineffective
Each state remains sovereign
Unicameral legislature (1 state 1 vote)
No president/Judiciary
No standing army/ couldn’t force taxation
Weak- which caused the constitution to be created

Question 5

Constitution

Answer 5

Federal governments structure, powers, and limitations of these powers
3 branch system that can limit each other
Federal system of government
Constitution is the “Supreme Law”
Bill of rights= gave people rights the government could not infringe on
Many amendments (13, 14!, 15, 17, 19, etc.) expanded peoples rights as well

Question 6

Federalist 51

Answer 6

Govt should be broken into 3 branches (Executive, Legislative, Judicial)
Branches are self-sufficient but have power over each other
Legislative branch must be split twice because of its immense power, House of Reps and Senate, directly elected reps represent the peoples vot

Question 7

Federalist 70

Answer 7

list 70
Executive branch is main ingredient for energy and safety
Energy from single person through “Decision, activity, secrecy, and dispatch”
Justifies executive strength because slow moving congress is well balanced by a quick, decisive executive branch
Government balance can only be achieved if each branch of government has autonomous power so tyranny can’t happen.

Question 8

Federalist 78

Answer 8

The judiciary branch is weak and needs strengthening
W/o independent judiciary, peoples rights from the constitution would be worth nothing since the legislature cannot police itself
Lifetime appointments if judges have good behavior (resist threats and bribes)

Question 9

Letter from a Birmingham Jail

Answer 9

Martin Luther King Jr. writes from his jail cell
Followers must follow his demonstrations to fight for justice
Oppressed must stand and take charge to demand equality
Segregation is immoral in the eyes of god
White moderates are “demanding and paternalistic” and are the biggest obstacle for equality.
Civil rights movement will be successful “THE GOAL OF AMERICA IS FREEDOM”