APGOPO Foundational Documents Stater

Foundational docs – main ideas Declaration of Independence “Break up letter” influenced by Locke A justification for wanting to leave Britain Gov’t must protect natural (“unalienable”) rights, and Britain wasn’t doing this List of grievances against King George (taxation without representation, forced quartering of soldiers, cutting off trade, denial of procedural rights, etc.) We tried to warn you but you wouldn’t change your ways… so peace out

Foundational docs – main ideas Articles of Confederation First government after declaring independence One branch: a unicameral legislature Weak central gov’t – no power to tax Each state had one vote – needed 9/13 to pass a law and 13/13 to amend the AOC

Foundational docs – main ideas US Constitution Preamble (introduction) 7 articles (know the main subject of each) 10 amendments originally ratified as Bill of Rights Now there are 27 amendments Key principles: popular sovereignty (We the people), republican government, separation of powers, checks and balances

Foundational docs – main ideas Federalist Papers: #10 Warned of the dangers of factions: can’t be prevented without destroying liberty Minority factions are controlled through elections A large republic (not a direct democracy) is the best way to keep majority factions in check Elected representatives help reflect the public good

Foundational docs – main ideas Federalist Papers: #51 Justified separation of powers Checks and balances are best way to “counteract ambition” Legislature is most powerful branch and must be weakened through bicameralism Executive is weak and must be fortified (veto power) Federalism is an added level of security

Foundational docs – main ideas Federalist Papers: #70 Executive branch – a single executive with “energy” to make decisions is needed More than one person in the executive would cause many problems: disagreements, failure to act quickly, weakened authority, ability to shift the blame/shirk responsibility Unlike the executive, the legislative branch is designed to be slow-moving/cautious

Foundational docs – main ideas Federalist Papers: #78 Judges should serve during “good behavior” and should be appointed, not elected Judiciary should fill the role of judicial review and uphold the Constitution An independent judiciary is necessary to keep the other branches in check and to be an impartial interpreter of the law Judges must have extensive knowledge of the law and precedent and must have integrity

Foundational docs – main ideas Brutus 1 Anti-federalist view Powerful central government is dangerous, and the 13 states should not be united into one great republic (threat to liberty) In a large republic, the public good is at jeopardy, representatives wouldn’t know their people (or we would need way too many), there would be too many clashing opinions (the states are too different), and officials could too easily abuse their power

Foundational docs – main ideas Letter from a Birmingham Jail Martin Luther King Jr. wrote this to explain the purpose of “non-violent direct action” such as sit-ins and marches (civil rights movement) Distinguishes between just and unjust laws, and advocates for civil disobedience to change unjust laws (though you must accept the consequences) Constitutional justification – 14th Amendment equal protection clause