1. Anti-Federalist Papers
1.1. What is the general purpose of this document?
1.1.1. This document was written in response to the Federalist Papers, saying that with weaknesses in the Constitution it might cause for uprisings.
1.2. Who was responsible for writing it?
1.2.1. There are several different authors for this document and there is not a set list of who the authors are.
1.3. What time frame was/is the document significant?
1.3.1. 1786-1800
1.4. How is the document structured?
1.4.1. It has 12 amendments.
1.5. What are the top 5 most important things we need to know about this document?
1.5.1. Things we need to know was that this document was written to take the opposite side of the Federalist Papers. Also, this paper explains that there are weaknesses in the Constitution. It also says that if things are not changed there will be uprisings. Lastly, the arguments made in this document could be the reason the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution.
2. Federalist Papers
2.1. What is the general purpose of this document?
2.1.1. The purpose of The Federalist Papers was to ensure the democratic government in the United States of America.
2.2. Who was responsible for writing it?
2.2.1. James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton
2.3. What time frame was/is the document significant?
2.3.1. 1787-1789
2.4. How is the document structured?
2.4.1. There are 85 articles and essays written that make up the Federalist papers.
2.5. What are the top 5 most important things we need to know about this document?
2.5.1. Things we need to know are, the Federalist Papers were written in order to secure the ratification of a constitution providing for a more perfect union. It also discuses federalism as a means to achieve free government in peace and security. It also states that the Union appears as a means to achieve the safety and welfare of its self. Lastly, it says that the papers argue that the liberty of Americans depends on the maintaining their national unity.
3. Bill of Rights
3.1. What is the general purpose of this document?
3.1.1. This is the first step that "the people" took to amending the Constitution.
3.2. Who was responsible for writing it?
3.2.1. James Madison
3.3. What time frame was/is the document significant?
3.3.1. 1791- Present
3.4. How is the document structured?
3.4.1. There are ten amendments including the right to bear arms and the right to trial by jury.
3.5. What are the top 5 most important things we need to know about this document?
3.5.1. The Bill of Rights represents the first step that “We the People” took in amending the Constitution. The Bill of Rights reserves for the people any rights not specifically mentioned in the Constitution and reserves all powers not specifically granted to the federal government to the people or the States. Lastly, this document enumerates freedoms not explicitly indicated in the main body of the Constitution.
4. Constitution
4.1. What is the general purpose of this document?
4.1.1. The main purpose was to make sure people's rights are protected, to keep the government in order, and to establish supreme laws.
4.2. Who was responsible for writing it?
4.2.1. Delegates from early every state met to discuss this document.
4.3. What time frame was/is the document significant?
4.3.1. 1781-1815
4.4. How is the document structured?
4.4.1. There are 27 amendments and the first 10 are named the Bill of Rights.
4.5. What are the top 5 most important things we need to know about this document?
4.5.1. The Constitution created a new government divided into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The Constitution created a new government divided into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The delegates compromised on a two-house Congress, consisting of an upper house with equal representation for each state, and a lower house with proportional representation based on population. Congress also was given new abilities to levy national taxes and control interstate commerce.
5. Northwest Ordinance
5.1. What is the general purpose of this document?
5.1.1. To establish a process for admitting these territories to the Union as states
5.2. Who was responsible for writing it?
5.2.1. The authors are Nathan Dane and Rufus King.
5.3. What time frame was/is the document significant?
5.3.1. 1787
5.4. How is the document structured?
5.4.1. There are 6 amendments.
5.5. What are the top 5 most important things we need to know about this document?
5.5.1. Five important things are the Northwest Ordinance forbid slavery and encouraged education. It also granted freedom of religion and the right to trial by jury. Lastly, it promised decent treatment to Native Americans but did not follow through.
6. Articles of Confederation
6.1. What is the general purpose of this document?
6.1.1. The general purpose is the representatives of the thirteen states agree to create a confederacy called the United States of America, in which each state maintains its own sovereignty and all rights to govern, except those rights specifically granted to Congress.
6.2. Who was responsible for writing it?
6.2.1. John Dickinson wrote the Articles of Confederation.
6.3. What time frame was/is the document significant?
6.3.1. 1781-1789
6.4. How is the document structured?
6.4.1. There are 13 Amendments. The first 10 are organized into the bill of rights.
6.5. What are the top 5 most important things we need to know about this document?
6.5.1. Five most important things are one, the states have the right to select and send two to seven delegates to Congress each year, states are not allowed to conduct relationships with foreign nations without the permission of congress, During war, states have the right to appoint officers of colonel rank and below. Congress determines the budget and will publish it regularly, and lastly, Congress has the sole power to deal with foreign nations, including making war and peace.
7. Declaration of Independence
7.1. What is the general purpose of this document?
7.1.1. The general purpose for this document was to say that the new nation will be called the United States of America and will have no further connections with Great Britain. Also that the new government will reserve the right to levy war, make peace, and make alliances with foreign nations
7.2. Who was responsible for writing it?
7.2.1. There are many different people responsible for writing this document.
7.3. What time frame was/is the document significant?
7.3.1. 1776-Present
7.4. How is the document structured?
7.4.1. The Declaration is separated into 3 different parts: the Preamble, the list of grievances, and the last part dissolves ties with Britain.
7.5. What are the top 5 most important things we need to know about this document?
7.5.1. Five important things are that all men are created equal. There are also certain boundaries that the government cant cross like the right to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness.