Understanding the Constitution

by Davis, Sue; Peltason, J. W.

• ISBN13: 9780534614072
• ISBN10: 0534614078
• Edition: 16th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-10-15
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing

Summary

For over fifty years, UNDERSTANDING THE CONSTITUTION has helped readers understand and interpret the document that outlines America's fundamental rules and government structures. Always current and concise, this book goes beyond generalities to discover the major constitutional issues of our times, a constantly evolving process.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Acknowledgments	xi
PART ONE HISTORY AND CONTEXT
1 CONSTITUTIONAL BACKGROUNDS	2	(26)
The Political Ideas of the Revolutionary Era	2	(5)
The Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution	7	(1)
The Revolutionary State Constitutions and the Articles of Confederation	8	(3)
The Constitutional Convention	11	(6)
The Ratification Process	17	(9)
Questions	26	(1)
Key Terms	27	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	27	(1)
2 THE CONSTITUTION, AMERICAN POLITICS, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF AMERICAN CONSTITUTIONAL LAW	28	(40)
Basic Features of the Original Constitution	28	(2)
Constitutional Interpretation	30	(6)
Judicial Review	36	(6)
The Constitution and American Politics	42	(19)
Jurisprudence	61	(3)
Conclusion	64	(1)
Questions	64	(1)
Key Terms	65	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	65	(3)
PART TWO THE CONSTITUTION OF 1787
3 THE PREAMBLE AND ARTICLE I: THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH	68	(80)
The Preamble	68	(1)
Article I: The Legislature	69	(75)
Questions	144	(1)
Key Terms	145	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	145	(3)
4 ARTICLE II: THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH	148	(47)
Questions	191	(1)
Key Terms	192	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	193	(1)
The Presidential Election of 2000	193	(2)
5 ARTICLE III: THE JUDICIARY	195	(10)
Questions	203	(1)
Key Terms	204	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	204	(1)
6 ARTICLES IV-VII	205	(20)
Article IV: Relations among the States	205	(8)
Article V: Procedures for Amending the Constitution	213	(4)
Article VI: The States and the Federal Government	217	(3)
Article VII: Ratification of the Constitution	220	(1)
Questions	220	(1)
Key Terms	221	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	221	(4)
PART THREE THE AMENDMENTS
7 THE BILL OF RIGHTS I: PROTECTING INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES	225	(49)
The Bill of Rights	225	(1)
The Bill of Rights and the States	226	(2)
Postincorporation Limits	228	(2)
State Constitutions and Individual Rights	230	(2)
Amendment I: Freedom of Religion, Speech, Assembly, and Petition	232	(36)
Amendment II: The Right to Bear Arms	268	(1)
Amendment III: Quartering of Soldiers	269	(1)
Questions	270	(1)
Key Terms	271	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	272	(2)
8 THE BILL OF RIGHTS II: PROCEDURAL BOUNDARIES	274	(92)
Amendment IV: Searches and Seizures	274	(20)
Amendment V: Grand Juries, Double Jeopardy, Self-Incrimination, Due Process, Eminent Domain	294	(32)
Amendment VI: Criminal Court Procedures	326	(24)
Amendment VII: Trial by Jury in Civil Cases	350	(3)
Amendment VIII: Bail, and Cruel and Unusual Punishments	353	(7)
Civil Liberties and the Response to September 11, 2001	360	(2)
Questions	362	(1)
Key Terms	363	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	363	(3)
9 CLARIFYING AND MODIFYING	366	(13)
Amendment IX: Rights Retained by the People	366	(2)
Amendment X: Powers Reserved to the States	368	(3)
Amendment XI: Suits against States	371	(3)
Amendment XII: Election of the President	374	(3)
Questions	377	(1)
Key Terms	377	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	377	(2)
10 THE RECONSTRUCTION AMENDMENTS	379	(65)
Amendment XIII: The Prohibition of Slavery	379	(2)
Amendment XIV: Citizenship, Privileges, and Immunities of United States Citizenship, Due Process, and Equal Protection of the Laws	381	(55)
Amendment XV: The Right to Vote: Black Men	436	(4)
Questions	440	(2)
Key Terms	442	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	442	(2)
11 THE PROGRESSIVE ERA	444	(9)
Amendment XVI: Income Taxes	445	(1)
Amendment XVII: Direct Election of Senators	446	(1)
Amendment XVIII: Prohibition	447	(2)
Amendment XIX: The Right to Vote: women	449	(2)
Questions	451	(1)
Key Terms	451	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	451	(2)
12 1933 To 1992	453	(15)
Amendment XX: The Lame-Duck Amendment	453	(2)
Amendment XXI: Repeal of Prohibition	455	(2)
Amendment XXII: Limits on Presidential Terms	457	(1)
Amendment XXIII: Presidential Electors for the District of Columbia	458	(1)
Amendment XXIV: The Prohibition on the Poll Tax	459	(1)
Amendment XXV: Presidential Succession and Disability and Vice Presidential Vacancies	460	(2)
Amendment XXVI: The Right to Vote: Eighteen-Year-Olds	462	(1)
Amendment XXVII: The Madison Amendment	463	(1)
Questions	464	(1)
Key Terms	465	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	465
PART FOUR THE DOCUMENTS
THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE	468	(3)
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES	471	(18)
Legal Materials on the Internet	489	(4)
Credits	493	(2)
Index	495