seminal documents

Declaration of Independence

1776 statement, issued by the Second Continental Congress, explaining why the colonies wanted independence from Britain.

The Gettysburg Address

A speech given by President Lincoln in 1863 is considered one of the most important in history, as it defined the principles of liberty and equality on which the government of the United States was founded

The Declaration of Independence

An act of the Second Continental Congress, adopted on July 4, 1776, which declared that the Thirteen Colonies in North America were "Free and Independent States" and that "all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved."

Frederick Douglass' Independence Day Speech

Born into slavery around 1818, Douglass became a key leader of the abolitionist movement. On July 5, 1852, in Rochester, New York, he gave one of his most famous speeches, "The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro."

Bill of Rights

First ten amendments to the Constitution; major source of civil liberties; applies to states via selective incorporation doctrine; promised to Anti-Federalists to secure ratification of Constitution

Lincolns Second Inaugural Speech

Lincoln's second inaugural address definition. A speech given by Abraham Lincoln at his inauguration for a second term as president, a few weeks before the Union victory in the Civil War.

Federalist #10

Topic = factions (interest groups); minority factions controlled by majority; majority faction controlled by greater size of USA + virtuous leaders

Washington's Farewell Address

Warns against sectionalism and foreign affairs, wants everyone to stay strong as a nation. Encourages things written by Hamilton

The Mayflower Compact

an agreement signed by all the men in the voyage they agreed to elect their own leaders and make their own laws.