Required Documents

Question 1

The Constitution

Answer 1

• Ratified after the Federalists added the Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments)
• Established that the federal government would be composed of three branches: Congress (legislative), the President and bureaucracy (executive), and the Courts (judiciary)
• The Bill of Rights guarantees that citizens maintain their inalienable rights

Question 2

Federalist No. 10

Answer 2

• Factions are dangerous and can incite violence or destruction to society
• A large republic would be able to control the powers of factions/interest groups
• Government must be concerned about all of the voices in a democracy (majority rule vs. minority rights)

Question 3

Federalist No. 51

Answer 3

• Madison worried that one branch would dominate over the others and lead to tyranny
• Government should hold a system of checks and balances and separation of powers in order to prevent one group/branch from gaining too much power
• Further division would occur through state governments

Question 4

Federalist No. 70

Answer 4

• Multiple executives would naturally argue and their “bitter dissensions” would cause people to lose respect for the executive branch and weaken its authority in the eyes of the people
• The president should be energetic in the executive, or have the ability to enforce laws and make quick decisions

Question 5

Federalist No. 78

Answer 5

• The judiciary branch didn’t have “influence over either the sword or the purse” making it weaker and less of a threat
• Would need to rely on Congress and the president to enact and enforce laws based on a court’s ruling, meaning they could ignore their rulings
• The judiciary branch should have the power of judicial review, allowing them to review the constitutionality of actions taken by the executive and legislative branches

Question 6

Brutus No. 1

Answer 6

• In opposition to the Constitution (anti-Federalist)
• The Constitution would turn the “league of friendship” that the 13 states had into a government that gave ultimate authority to the federal government, which would lead to tyranny
• Elected representatives would not voluntarily give up their power, and would therefore inaccurately represent the people

Question 7

The Declaration of Independence

Answer 7

• Explains why the colonies were breaking away from Great Britain
• Americans deserved the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (unalienable rights)
• When a government violated those rights, it was imperative for the people to overthrow that government and put a just government in its place

Question 8

The Articles of Confederation

Answer 8

• Original governing document of the United States, lasting from 1781-1789
• Written after an era of tyrannical government, meaning it place more emphasis on states’ rights and a smaller central government
• Weaknesses included Congress’ inability to tax, draft troops, impose tariffs, or regulate commerce. Additionally, 9 of the 13 states were needed to pass laws or make amendments
• Weaknesses were shown through events like Shay’s Rebellion

Question 9

Letter from Birmingham Jail

Answer 9

• Written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. after he was sent to jail for protesting segregation in Birmingham, Alabama
• Direct action (peaceful protest) is necessary to force white people to confront racism, and direct action that would open up an opportunity for dialogue
• Civil disobedience is a patriotic response to laws that are unjust
• Discusses his disappointment in “white moderates” who claim to oppose racism but also reject any direct action and say they are more detrimental to inequality as they passively allow it to continue
• Criticizes the white leadership of churches for upholding the status quo rather than advocating for equality as it once had