Foundational Documents

Question 1

The Declaration of Independence (1776)

Answer 1

Context:
Written by Thomas Jefferson to justify the American colonies’ break from Britain.

Core Beliefs:
Natural rights (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness), popular sovereignty, and the right of the people to alter or abolish oppressive government.

Debates:
Emphasized the idea of limited government and equality, laying philosophical groundwork for American democracy.

Question 2

The Articles of Confederation (1781)

Answer 2

Context:
The first constitution of the U.S., ratified during the Revolutionary War.

Core Beliefs:
States retained sovereignty; weak central government (no power to tax or raise an army).

Debates:
Highlighted the dangers of too little centralized authority, leading to the push for a stronger federal system.

Question 3

Federalist No. 10 (James Madison, 1787)

Answer 3

Context:
One of the Federalist Papers written to support ratifying the Constitution.

Core Beliefs:
A large republic can best control factions and prevent tyranny of the majority.

Debates:
Defended the Constitution’s ability to safeguard liberty through a representative democracy.

Question 4

Brutus No. 1 (Anti-Federalist, 1787)

Answer 4

Context:
A prominent critique of the proposed Constitution.

Core Beliefs:
Feared an overly powerful central government; preferred small, decentralized republics to preserve individual liberty.

Debates:
Warned that the Constitution would lead to tyranny and loss of state sovereignty.

Question 5

Federalist No. 51 (James Madison, 1788)

Answer 5

Context:
Justification for the Constitution’s structure.

Core Beliefs:
Separation of powers and checks and balances prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

Debates:
Addressed concerns about concentration of power by dividing government roles.

Question 6

The U.S. Constitution (1787; ratified 1788)

Answer 6

Context:
Replaced the Articles of Confederation to create a stronger federal government.

Core Beliefs:
Popular sovereignty, federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, limited government, and individual rights.

Debates:
Centered on how to balance power between the states and federal government and protect liberties.

Question 7

Federalist No. 70 (Alexander Hamilton, 1788)

Answer 7

Context:
Defense of the single executive (President) in the Constitution.

Core Beliefs:
A strong, energetic executive is essential for good government—especially in crisis and law enforcement.

Debates:
Opposed fears of monarchy by arguing that accountability is best ensured with one leader.

Question 8

Federalist No. 78 (Alexander Hamilton, 1788)

Answer 8

Context:
Defense of the federal judiciary.

Core Beliefs:
Judicial branch is the “least dangerous” branch; life tenure ensures independence; courts protect constitutional rights.

Debates:
Argued for judicial review as a check on legislative and executive actions.

Question 9

Letter from Birmingham Jail (Martin Luther King Jr., 1963)

Answer 9

Context:
Written while jailed for protesting segregation laws; civil rights era.

Core Beliefs:
Advocated for civil disobedience against unjust laws; justice delayed is justice denied.

Debates:
Reaffirmed the Declaration’s ideals of equality and moral law, critiquing the Constitution’s failure to fully deliver them.