foundational documents

Question 1

“how will the new constitution protect the liberty of of citizens against the tyranny of the majority?”
(writers of federalist papers not fans of total democracy because majority would have upper hand)
- discusses dangers of factions
faction- group of citizens whose desires to dominate government so they can impose their own interests on the whole society
- proposes 2 solutions: either removing its causes or by controlling its effects (cannot remove factions or that destroys liberty)
- because of this republican govt> pure democracy

Answer 1

federalist 10

Question 1

• first paper of the antifederalist papers arguing against ratification of the constitution
• debates whether a confederacy of state govts or powerful central govt is more effective (argued for confederacy)
• doesn’t like necessary and proper clause and supremacy clause- thinks state govts will die
• collecting taxes- questions how states will do this if it’s done on a national level, same with federal courts because then state ones will be considered obsolete and unnecessary
• argues size of usa isn’t suited for republican govt, quotes montesqeui who says republican govt is suited for a small pop.
  says it’s not possible for a republican govt for elected officials to gage and accurately represent all the people of the us

Answer 1

brutus #1

Question 2

-Addresses means by which appropriate checks and balances can be created in government
-Advocates a separation of powers within the national government

Answer 2

federalist 51

Question 3

-Argues the purpose of having a single executive (president) in government
-States that an executive brings the government both the energy of one person & the safety of an accountability to the people

Answer 3

federalist 70

Question 4

-Discusses the power of judicial review
-Argues that the federal courts have the duty to determine whether acts of Congress are constitutional
-Justifies the structure/function of the Judicial Branch

Answer 4

federalist 78

Question 5

-Defends the strategy of nonviolent resistance to racism.
-States that people have a moral responsibility to break unjust laws
-Message: take direct action rather than waiting potentially forever for justice to come through the courts

Answer 5

letter from birmingham jail

Question 6

-Series of amendments to the Constitution that guarantees individual freedoms and due process

Answer 6

bill of rights

Question 7

-Supreme law of the US
-Contains seven articles & twenty-seven amendments
-Creates the framework of the US government

Answer 7

constitution

Question 8

-First written Constitution of the US
-Faults included:
1) Could not collect taxes
2) Could not regulate trade
3) Could not enforce laws
4) Needed approval from 9-13 states in order to pass laws
5) Amending the document had to have unanimous approval
6) No executive branch
7) No national court system

Answer 8

articles of confederation

Question 9

-States the principles on which the American government is based
-Gave reasoning behind a separation from Britain
-Establishes that all people are created equal

Answer 9

declaration of independence