Ap exam foundational documents

Question 1

Federalist 10

Answer 1

Written by james madison; says a strong united republic would be more effective than the individual states to control factions. A large republic would have more representatives elected which means more opinions; which means it is less likely for a majority to be oppressing the rest of the people

Question 2

Brutus 1

Answer 2

An antifederalist series of essays designed to encourage new Yorkers to reject the proposed constitution. Says the power of the constitution requires people to sacrifice their liberties; which means a bill of rights was necessary to protect the people from the government. Claims congress has too much power (taxation, standing armies, elastic clause) and a free republic cannot exist in a territory as large as the US and would lead to tyranny.

Question 3

Declaration of independence

Answer 3

says: All people are created equal (life, liberty, property) Governments are made to protect these rights; if a government does not protect these rights then the people have the duty to change/ destroy; imperfect governments should not be destroyed only ones that seek tyranny

Question 4

Articles of confederation

Answer 4

confederation of states with an extremely limited central government; limitations placed upon the central government rendered it ineffective in governing the size of the US; each state remains sovereign; unicameral legislature; no president or judiciary; could not force taxation; no standing army

Question 5

Federalist 51

Answer 5

The people created a competitive policy making process to ensure the peoples will is accurately represented and that freedom is preserved. -Proposes a govt broken into 3 branches E,L,J; each branch would be self sufficient but have power over other branches to keep them from taking over. the legislative branch is split into the house and senate bc its the most powerful; members of the judicial branch need to be chosen by the president with senates approval bc they need qualified candidates for a life long position. This style of govt keeps down faction power.

Question 6

Federalist 70

Answer 6

The presidency has been enhanced beyond its expressed constitutional powers. Argues that unity, energy, and safety, is important in the executive, achieved by a single person who is “decision, activity, secrecy, and dispatch”. It justifies executive strength stating a slow moving congress will be best balanced by a decisive executive. Maintains that govt balance can only be achieved if each branch of govt has autonomous power so no tyranny. It makes a case for duration , presidential terms need to be long enough to promote stability; support can be defined as presidential salary which is mean to attract capable honest men to office and avoid corruption.

Question 7

Federalist 78

Answer 7

The design of the judicial branch protects the supreme courts independence as a branch of government, and the emergence and use of judicial review remains a powerful judicial practice. F78 claims that since the judicial branch is the weakest branch they need more strengthening. claims that withought an independent judiciary the peoples rights reserved by the const would amount to nothing since legislature cannot rely apon police itself. Lifetime judicial appointments are guaranteed during good behavior to insure judged stay true and resist trying to please people to be re-elected.

Question 8

Letter from Birmingham jail

Answer 8

The 14th amendments equal protection clause as well as other constitutional provisions have often been used to support the advancement of equality.