1. APGOPO Foundational Documents
Stater

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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