Exploring Foundational Documents for AP Exam Success

What was the first constitution of the United States called?

• The Federalist Papers

• The Bill of Rights

• The Declaration of Independence

• The Articles of Confederation

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?

• Inability to collect taxes

• Strong central government

• Lack of military power

• Too much power to the states

What principle states that people are born with rights that governments must protect?

• Popular sovereignty

• Federalism

• Judicial review

• Natural rights

What does the Declaration of Independence emphasize about government power?

• It should protect natural rights

• It should favor the elite

• It should be unlimited

• It should be divided among branches

What action does the Declaration of Independence say people can take against an unjust government?

• Vote it out

• Abolish it

• Reform it

• Ignore it

Which document is primarily concerned with the separation of powers within the federal government?

• Brutus I

• Declaration of Independence

• Federalist 51

• The Constitution

What was the main argument of the Federalist 10 paper?

• Need for a strong judiciary

• Dangers of factions

• Importance of a unitary executive

• Benefits of direct democracy

According to Brutus I, what was a risk of the proposed Constitution?

• Too much public involvement

• Insufficient taxation powers

• Weak military

• Excessive central government power

What does Federalist 51 explain?

• The system of checks and balances

• The structure of the judiciary

• The need for a strong president

• The role of the states in federalism

What is the main focus of the Letter from Birmingham Jail?

• Civil rights and direct action

• State governance

• Judicial processes

• Federalist arguments