Overview of Required Documents

Declaration of Independence

• Key Ideas: Natural Rights, Popular Sovereignty, Social Contract
  • Natural Rights: Rights not bestowed by people but originating from a higher power (God, nature).
  • Popular Sovereignty: Government derives power from the consent of the governed.
  • Social Contract: Governments protect natural rights; created by and for the people.

Articles of Confederation

• Structure: First system of governance pre-Constitution
  • Each state was sovereign with one vote in Congress.
  • Unanimous agreement required for decisions.
• Powers:
  • Congress could declare war, make treaties, raise an army, coin and borrow money.
  • Could not tax or regulate interstate commerce.
  • No executive or judicial branch at the federal level.
  • States could impose tariffs, create their own money, and ignore federal treaties.

Constitution

• Establishment of Limited Government
  • Powers not mentioned belong to states or people.
  • Principles: Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, Representative Government, Federalism.

Federalist Papers

Federalist No. 10

• Argument: Factions are the largest threat.
  • Factions: Groups against the rights of others.
  • Solution: Large Republic to dilute faction power and protect minority rights.
  • Democracy can lead to tyranny of the majority.

Federalist No. 51

• Argument: Importance of Checks and Balances, Separation of Powers.
  • Government needed due to human fallibility.
  • Solution: Divide power among three branches.
  • Legislative Branch: Further divided into House and Senate.

Federalist No. 70

• Argument: Support for Unitary Executive (single president).
  • Provides decisive action, accountability.
  • Single executive is more efficient.

Federalist No. 78

• Argument: Support for Life Terms for Judges, Independent Judiciary.
  • Judicial review to declare unconstitutional acts void.
  • Judges must be independent from Congress and President.

Brutus No. 1

• Argument Against Constitution
  • Prefers power with local governments.
  • Warnings: Federal government overpowering, federal power expansion through "Elastic Clause."
  • Predicts federal dominance over state governments.

Letter from Birmingham Jail

• Argument for Civil Rights
  • Demands fulfillment of Declaration and Constitution ideals for all, especially racial equality.
  • Parallels with Declaration and Brutus regarding rights and power.
  • Key quotes on freedom and justice, moral law, and the duty to resist unjust laws.

Make sure to review these foundational documents and their arguments as you prepare for exams on American government principles.