Documents Flashcards
Give the:
Context and Purpose
Core Ideas
Why it Matters
For the Declaration of Independence
Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration was a revolutionary statement of political philosophy, modeled after Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke. It declared the 13 colonies’ independence from Britain.
Natural Rights: All men are endowed with “unalienable rights,” including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Social Contract: Governments derive power from the consent of the governed. When they fail to protect rights, citizens have a right to revolt.
Grievances: The bulk of the document is a list of abuses by King George III—dissolving colonial legislatures, quartering troops, imposing taxes without consent, and more.
Why It Matters
Embodied the ideological foundation of American democracy.
Justified rebellion not just as a right—but a duty in the face of tyranny.
Inspired other revolutionary and anti-colonial movements globally.
Give the:
Context
Structure
Powers Congress Had
Powers Congress Lacked
Why it collapsed
For the Articles of Confederation
Context
America’s first constitution, drafted during the Revolutionary War, reflected deep fears of centralized power.
Structure
A unicameral Congress.
No executive or judicial branch.
Each state got one vote.
Amendments required unanimous approval.
Powers Congress Had
Declare war
Make treaties
Borrow money
Maintain an army/navy
Powers Congress Lacked (uh-oh)
Couldn’t tax
Couldn’t regulate interstate commerce
Couldn’t enforce laws or court rulings
Couldn’t draft soldiers
Needed 9/13 states to pass major legislation
Why It Collapsed
Economic chaos: inflation, trade wars between states
No military response to uprisings (Shays’ Rebellion)
Foreign policy failure: no unified diplomatic voice
Led directly to the Constitutional Convention of 1787
These weaknesses became painfully obvious during crises like Shays’ Rebellion, when the federal government proved too weak to respond effectively. Calls grew louder for a stronger central government, setting the stage for the Constitutional Convention of 1787.
Brutus 1
- Strong federal government would trample over the rights of the people
- Necessary and proper clause = unlimited power
- Supremeacy clause = limiting soveigrnty of the states
- Abillity to tax = method of tyranny
- Even if the government was good, it wouldn’t be able to care for the needs of the people
Federalist 10
- A strong national government is the best way to limit the power of factions. Republics are better than democracies
- In a large republic, each faction has to compete with one another limiting the power of any one faction
- In small democracies, it is easy for one faction to get a majority and oppress the mintority.
- Representatives are more likely to make decisions that are good for the population.
Federalist 51
- Checks and balances are needed for the government
- It is the natural desire for any one branch to try and consolidate as much power as possible. By allowing each one to check others power, it will ensure each branch maintains its original powers.
- Idea of limited government.
Federalist 70
- Energy in the executive is neccesary to enforce laws and make quick decisions
- A strong executive with a single head will be more accountable to the people.
Federalist 78
An independent judiciary that has unlimited term limits and the power of judical review is necessary to protect the constitution.
Letter from Birmingham Jail
- Ideas of Civil Disobedience and protest
- The right thing to do is to protest and break unjust laws in order make change happen.
- We must expand natural rights to include everyone.
How to get full points on argumentative essay
- Thesis (1pt): Put at the begining and make an argument with your reasoning
- Evidence (3pts): Two peices of evidence, one from the required documents. Must be relevant evidence and explain how it supports your argument.
- Reasoning (1pt): Analyze how you evidence supports your point.
- Alternate Perspective (1pt): Ackowledge an opposing view and show your argument is better.
