AP GOV Documents and Cases

This Doc explained the reasons we wanted to break from Great Britain and contained the words: "all men are created equal" and "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

• The Constitution

• The Articles of Confederation

• Letter from Birmingham Jail

• Declaration of Independence

The was our first plan of government and was characterized by a WEAK national government that didn't have the power to tax.

• The Constitution

• Federalist 10

• Articles of Confederation

• Declaration of Independence

This Doc created three branches with separation of powers and checks and powers; also, the federal government would now be supreme.

• Declaration of Independence

• Articles of Confederation

• Federalist 10

• The Constitution

This Doc explained that factions were inevitable in a free society, but they could be controlled by a large republic (like the one created by the new Constitution).

• Federalist 10

• Federalist 78

• Federalist 51

• Federalist 70

This Doc explained that personal liberties would be protected by the system of checks & balances and separation of powers embedded within the new Constitution.

• Federalist 10

• Federalist 78

• Federalist 51

• Federalist 70

This Doc argued that the president should be one person (unitary executive) to make strong, decisive decisions- and to be held accountable.

• Federalist 10

• Federalist 78

• Federalist 51

• Federalist 70

This Doc argued that the judicial branch would be the weakest of the branches (no power to tax or declare war)... and people should not fear lifetime appointments.

• Federalist 10

• Federalist 78

• Federalist 51

• Federalist 70

This Doc expressed fear in the new Constitution because it created a powerful federal government (especially the "necessary & proper" and "supremacy clause"). This paper argued that power should remain with the states.

• Letter from Birmingham Jail

• Brutus 1

• Federalist 10

• Declaration of Independence

This Doc discussed the need for civil disobedience to fight for racial equality and used the Equal Protection Clause to justify the Civil Rights Movement.

-"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

• The Bill of Rights

• Brutus 1

• Letter from Birmingham Jail

• The Declaration of Independence

Validated the supremacy of the national government over the states by declaring that states cannot interfere with or tax the legitimate activities of the federal government.

• McCulloch v. Maryland

• Marbury v. Madison

• US v. Lopez

• Tinker v. DesMoines

• Baker v. Carr