Declaration of Independence and Gettysburg Address

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Declaration of Independence (1776)

• Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence
• The declaration justifies the colonies' independence and establishes self-governance principles
• Unalienable rights, rights that cannot be taken away, include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
• Governments derive power from the consent of the governed
• Despotism means absolute rule by a tyrant
• Usurpations are unlawful seizures of power
• Tyranny is cruel and oppressive government rule
• The document justifies the separation of American colonies from Britain because of abuses by King George III
• If a government becomes destructive, the people have the right to alter or abolish it

Gettysburg Address (1863)

• Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address to dedicate the Gettysburg battlefield as a cemetery
• The speech reaffirmed the Declaration of Independence principles, emphasizing equality
• Lincoln stressed that the Civil War tested whether a nation dedicated to freedom and equality could endure
• It urged honoring the fallen by continuing the fight for democracy, ensuring the government remains "of the people, by the people, for the people"

Young Men's Lyceum Address (1838)

• Lincoln warned that the biggest threat to America is the erosion of respect for laws, not foreign invasion
• He criticized violent actions by mobs, arguing lawlessness weakens democracy
• Lincoln urged citizens respect and strictly follow the law, regardless of personal beliefs for a "Political Religion"
• He warned ambitious leaders could seek personal power at democracy's expense
• With the Revolutionary generation passing, Lincoln emphasized the need to preserve national values for future generations
• Demonstrates belief in reason, education, and legal institutions over emotional/violent actions
• Foreshadows themes he would later emphasize during the Civil War especially upholding democracy and the rule of law

States! (1860) - Walt Whitman

• Whitman emphasized the states being interconnected, forming a single, strong nation
• He celebrated the collective power of the people and the democratic ideals binding the states
• Written just before the Civil War subtile warnings agains sectionalism and disunity are included
• Whitman portrays the states as diverse but resilient, emphasizing unity and potential

Second Treatise of Government (1689)

• Individuals are born with natural rights to life, liberty, and property, which governments must protect
• Before government, people lived in a state of nature, free and equal, but without secure justice
• The social contract means people form governments by mutual consent to protect natural rights
• Governments derive authority from the people and citizens have the right to alter or abolish it if rights are unprotected
• Locke advocates for limited government with separation of powers to prevent tyranny
• If a ruler becomes a tyrant and violates natural rights, the people are justified in overthrowing them

Mayflower Compact (1620)

• The Mayflower Compact was written and signed by Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower before landing in Plymouth
• It established the first form of self-government in the American colonies
• Signers agreed to form a government creating just and equal laws by consent, setting an early example of governance

Virginia Resolves on the Stamp Acts (1765)

• These were passed in response to the Stamp Act of 1765, a British tax imposed to pay off debts from the French and Indian War
• The Virginia House of Burgesses declared that colonists had the same rights as British citizens, including self-taxation
• The Resolves argued that only colonial assemblies could levy taxes on the colonies
• The Resolves opposed the Stamp Act, which imposed taxes on materials, as a Parliament overreach

Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress (1774)

• The First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia in response to the Coercive Acts and wrote the Declaration and Resolves
• This was one of the unified colony responses against British policies
• The document asserted colonists' rights to "life, liberty, and property" and listed grievances against British rule
• The resolves rejected the Coercive Acts (1774), imposed to punish Massachusetts after the Boston Tea Party
• It reinforced the belief that only colonial legislatures had the right to tax
• The Congress called for boycotting of British goods to pressure Parliament to repeal unjust laws

Articles of Confederation (1777)

• Were written during the Revolutionary War, in effect from 1781 to 1789.
• The Articles created the first U.S. government
• Established a loose confederation of states, giving most power to the state governments, therefore a weak central government
• The legislature was unicameral-no executive or judicial branch
• Congress could not levy taxes or regulate commerce, leading to financial instability
• Amendments required unanimous approval, which made reforms difficult
• Each state retained its sovereignty, leading to disunity and conflict
• Congress could not draft soldiers, making national defense difficult
• Congress could pass laws, but states could ignore them

Northwest Ordinance (1787)

• Was passed under the Articles of Confederation to govern the Northwest Territory
• Created a structured process for territories to become states once they reached 60,000 settlers
• Slavery was banned in the Northwest Territory, setting a precedent for future debates
• Guaranteed rights/liberties including freedom of religion, trial by jury, and public education

The Constitution of the United States

• Article I: It establishes Congress, which consists of the House and Senate
  • Congress has powers for taxation, regulating commerce, declaring war, and making laws
  • House members serve 2 terms; Senators serve 6 years/term and there are 2/ state
• Article II: Establishes the President and Vice President
  • Presidents powers include commander-in-chief of the military, treaty-making (with Senate approval), and appointments
• Article III: it establishes the Supreme Court and allows Congress to create lower courts
  • Treason is defined as levying war against the U.S. or aiding its enemies
• Articles IV:
  • States must respect each other's laws/court rulings via the Full Faith and Credit Clause
  • States cannot discriminate against out-of-state citizens via Privileges and Immunities Clause
• Article V: There are two ways to propose an amendment and 2 ways to ratify it
• Article VI: The Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land, meaning federal law overrides state law
• Article VII: Required 9/13 states to ratify the Constitution for it to take effect
  • The Constitution was ratified in 1788 and went into effect in 1789

Schechter Poultry Corp v United States

• Schechter bought chickens from different states to slaughter and send to businesses
• The Supreme Court ruled in Schechter's favor as it was intrastate commerce
• Majority opinion by Charles Hughes
• The court reaffirmed the power separation between the federal and state governments

Wickard v Filburn

• Filburn grew wheat solely for animal consumption, violating the Agricultural Act, which limited wheat production
• The Supreme Court ruled that the commerce clause allows regulation of local agriculture if it affects interstate commerce
• It broadened federal government of economic activity regulation under the Commerce Clause

United States v Lopez

• A student carried a concealed weapon into his high school in San Antonio, Texas, violating the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990
• The act forbade firearm carrying or possession on school grounds
• He was found guilty and sentenced to 6 months imprisonment and supervised release
• Possession of a gun in a local school zone is not an economic activity

Gonzales v Raich

• In 1996, medical marijuana was legalized due to the Compassionate Use Act
• Possession was banned due to California law conflicted with the Controlled Substances Act
• Raich sued the Drug Enforcement Administration for restricting their medication
• Congress may forbid cultivating and using marijuana in compliance with California law following the Constitution