Authors
Martin Luther King, Jr
What is Letter From Birmingham Jail?
A strong, united republic would be more effective than the individual states at controlling “factions” A large republic will help control factions because when more representatives are elected, there will be a greater number of opinions. Therefore, it is far less likely that there will be one majority oppressing the rest of the people.
What is Federalist 10 (also acceptable: Federalist 51)
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
What is the Declaration of Independence?
This document is the only one not written in the 1700s.
What is Letter From a Birmingham Jail?
If you've forgotten how the US Government works, you could consult this document.
What is the Constitution
James Madison
What are Federalist 10 and Federalist 51 (also acceptable: Constitution)
All men created equal (Natural Rights of Life, Liberty, Property). Governments are created to protect these rights. If Gov’t does not protect these rights, then the People have the duty to alter/abolish the government. Imperfect gov’ts should not be destroyed, only ones that seek to subject the People to Tyranny (destruction of Natural Rights)
What is Declaration of Independence (also acceptable: any document but Letter From Birmingham Jail, honestly)
Lamentably, it is an historical fact that privileged groups seldom give up their privileges voluntarily.
What is Letter From a Birmingham Jail?
This document, the earliest of the required documents, was sent to King George III.
What is The Declaration of Independence
If you wanted to work out a new government with limited powers, you could do worse than to take this document as your model. Then again, you could probably do better.
What is the Articles of Confederation?
Thomas Jefferson
What is the Declaration of Independence
We have a duty to fight for justice. It is up to the oppressed to take charge and demand equality. Segregation is used to debase one population (blacks) while uplifting another (whites), which makes it immoral in the eyes of God. Immoral laws are laws that are neither just nor fair. According to St. Augustine's logic, unjust laws aren't actually laws, so they don't have to be followed. King believes people are under a moral obligation to oppose segregation by refusing to abide by the so-called laws that govern the practice.
What is Letter from Birmingham Jail? (also acceptable: Declaration of Independence)
To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
What is the Constitution?
These documents were collectively written to show support for the new Constitution.
What are the Federalist papers?
If you got in an argument at Caffe Aroma with someone who argued that we should only have one branch of government, which document could help you argue the merits of separation of powers?
What is Federalist 51?
Alexander Hamilton
What are Federalist 70 and Federalist 78?
An Antifederalist series of essan Antifederalist series of essays designed to encourage New Yorkers to reject the proposed Constitution. The immense power of the federal government requires the people to sacrifice their liberties. A bill of rights was necessary to protect the people from the government. Congress possesses far too much power: taxation, standing army, taxes, Elastic Clause. A free republic cannot exist in such a large territory as the United States. Judicial authority will broaden federal gov’t’s power (thus, tyranny)
What is Brutus 1?
Among the numerous advantages promised by a well constructed Union, none deserves to be more accurately developed than its tendency to break and control the violence of faction.
What is Federalist 10?
The fear of replicating the tyrannical government they were fighting to escape led colonists to create this government blueprint during the Revolutionary War.
What are the Articles of Confederation?
If someone suggested switching to a triumvirate (three leaders) instead of the president, this document could defend the presidency.
What is Federalist 70
Robert Yates
What is Brutus 1?
As “the weakest of the three departments of power,” the Judiciary needs strengthening.
Without an independent judiciary, any rights reserved to the people by the Constitution “would amount to nothing,” since the legislature cannot be relied upon to police itself. Lifetime appointments, guaranteed “during good behavior” to insure that judges can resist encroachments from the legislature (to which presumably they would be vulnerable by means of bribes or threats)
What is Federalist 78?
The ingredients which constitute energy in the Executive are, first, unity; secondly, duration; thirdly, an adequate provision for its support; fourthly, competent powers
What is Federalist 70?
Arguments like those made by Brutus led to alterations to this document.
What is the Constitution?
In response to complaints about the expanding power of the judiciary, you could cite this document.
What is Federalist 78