Foundational documents

Question 1

Federalist 10

Answer 1

1. a strong, united republic would be more effective than the individual states at controlling “factions”
2. a large republic will help control factions because when more representatives are elected, there will be a greater number of opinions. Therefore, it is far less likely that there will be one majority oppressing the rest of the people.

Question 2

Brutus I

Answer 2

1. an Antifederalist series of essays designed to encourage New Yorkers to reject the proposed Constitution
2. the immense power of the federal government requires the people to sacrifice their liberties
3. a bill of rights was necessary to protect the people from the government
4. Congress possesses far too much power: taxation, standing army, taxes, Elastic Clause
5. a free republic cannot exist in such a large territory as the United States
6. Judicial authority will broaden federal gov’t’s power (thus, tyranny)

Question 3

Declaration of Independence

Answer 3

1. All people created equal (Natural Rights of Life, Liberty, Property)
2. Governments are created to protect these rights
3. If Gov’t does not protect these rights, then the People have the duty to change/destroy
4. Imperfect gov’ts should not be destroyed, only ones that seek to subject the People to Tyranny (destruction of Natural Rights)

Question 4

Articles of confederation

Answer 4

1. Confederation of states, with an extremely limited central government.
2. limitations placed upon the central government made ineffective at governing the continually growing American states
3. Each state remains sovereign (supreme power or authority.)
4. Unicameral legislature, each state one vote
5. No President, No Judiciary
6. Could not force taxation; No standing Army

Question 5

Constitution

Answer 5

1. Outline of federal gov’t structure, powers, and limits to those powers
2. Three branches (L, E, J) [Sep. of Powers] that can limit each other [Checks and balences]
3. Federal system of government
4. Constitution as Supreme Law

Question 6

Federalist 51

Answer 6

1. Proposes a government broken into three branches: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.
2. Each branch should be self-sufficient, but each should have some kind of power over the other in order for them to keep each other from taking over the government.
3. The Legislative branch needs to be split further into the House of Representatives and the Senate because it’s the most powerful branch, and members of the Judicial branch need to be chosen by the President with the Senate’s approval because they want qualified candidates for a position that lasts
4. This style of government also helps keep down the power of factions, a recurring theme from Federalist 10.

Question 7

Federalist 70

Answer 7

1. Unity of executive branch is important for energy and safety. One person can make decisions quickly (energy). The unitary executive’s unconcealed accountably to the people.
2. Also maintains that governmental balance can only be achieved if each branch of government has enough autonomous power such that tyranny of one branch over the others cannot occur.
3. Makes the case for duration, meaning a presidential term long enough to promote stability in the government.
4. Support can be defined as a presidential salary, which insulates government officials from corruption by attracting capable, honest men to office.
5. Support can be defined as a presidential salary, which insulates government officials from corruption by attracting capable, honest men to office.