Required Documents

Question 1

The Declaration of Independence (1776)

Answer 1

A formal declaration of war between America and Great Britain written by Thomas Jefferson, including a list of grievances

Question 2

Articles of Confederation (1777)

Answer 2

Outlined the first US government, predecessor to the constitution; written by John Dickinson

Question 3

Federalist 10 (1787)

Answer 3

Written by James Madison. Supported a large republic because they could keep factions under control.

Question 4

Federalist 51 (1788)

Answer 4

Written by James Madison to argue for the importance of checks and balances between the branches of government, so that no one branch became too powerful.

Question 5

Federalist 70 (1788)

Answer 5

Written by Alexander Hamilton in favor of a strong, single independent, “energetic” executive because they could get more things done and it would be harder for corruption to stay hidden if there’s only one president to investigate.

Question 6

Federalist 78 (1788)

Answer 6

Written by Alexander Hamilton in favor of an independent judiciary from the influence of the public and the other branches of government because they needed to follow the Consitution no matter what others said, and they needed to do so without the fear of losing their jobs.

Question 7

Brutus 1

Answer 7

Written by Brutus (allegedly Robert Yates, a strong Anti-Federalist) against the idea of a strong central government. He said that a strong national government would take away from state power and the rights of individuals.

Question 8

Letter from a Birmingham Jail

Answer 8

Written by Martin Luther King Jr. and used the Consitution to defend the rights of African Americans. He pointed out that sometimes civil disobedience is an appropriate response to injustice.