A Pocket Guide to the U.S. Constitution

by Arnold, PhD, Andrew B

• ISBN13: 9780558874445
• ISBN10: 0558874444
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-12-21
• Publisher: Pearson Learning Solutions

Summary

A brief, line-by-line explanation of the U.S. Constitution, its plain meaning, history, and key Supreme Court cases. #xA0; This book is a place to begin to understand the Constitution of the United States. It explains the plain meaning and history of each clause and each amendment. It also includes brief explanations of key Supreme Court cases. It will equip readers with the knowledge and vocabulary necessary to further pursue the topics that interest them. In particular, it identifies and introduces named clauses such as: The Establishment Clause, Commerce Clause, Necessary and Proper Clause, and the Three-Fifths Clause. It provides a clear way to view the Constitution#x19;s structure: I. Preamble II. Three Branches of Government #xA0;#xA0;#xA0;#xA0;a. Legislative #xA0;#xA0;#xA0;#xA0;b. Executive #xA0;#xA0;#xA0;#xA0;c. Judicial III. Limitations on State Sovereignty IV.Ratification, Amending, and National Supremacy

Author Biography

Andrew B. Arnold received his MA and PhD in U.S. History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is an Associate Professor of History at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, where he has taught since 2002.

Table of Contents

Purpose	p. vii
Constitution and Amendments	p. 1
Structure and Preamble "We the people. . ."	p. 3
Three Branches of Government	p. 7
Legislative (Congress)
Legislative Power Defined	p. 8
House of Representatives	p. 9
Composition of House	p. 9
Qualifications for Representatives	p. 9
Apportionment (Three-Fifths Clause)	p. 10
Vacancies	p. 12
Rules and Impeachment	p. 12
Senate	p. 14
Definition of the Senate	p. 14
Staggering Terms of Office	p. 14
Qualifications for Senators15
Role of the Vice President	p. 16
Senate Officers	p. 16
Senate Impeachment Power	p. 17
Limits to Impeachment Power	p. 17
Elections and Sessions	p. 18
Elections	p. 18
Sessions of Congress	p. 18
Internal Organization	p. 19
Quorum, Attendance, Seating	p. 19
Rules, Punishment, Expulsion	p. 19
Openness, Secrecy, Roll Call Votes	p. 19
Adjournment and Place of Meeting	p. 20
Compensation and Limits	p. 21
Payment and Immunities	p. 21
Incompatibility and Emoluments	p. 22
Lawmaking Process	p. 23
Tax Laws	p. 23
Presentment Clause	p. 24
All Bills, Full Legislative Process	p. 26
Enumerated Powers	p. 26
Taxes, Debt, Welfare, Uniformity	p. 26
Congress and Credit	p. 27
Commerce Clause	p. 28
Naturalization, Bankruptcy	p. 32
Money, Standard Weights and Measures	p. 32
Counterfeiting	p. 32
Post Offices and Post Roads	p. 33
Copyright	p. 33
Inferior Courts	p. 34
High Seas and Laws of Nations	p. 34
To Declare War	p. 34
Army	p. 35
Navy	p. 35
Military Code	p. 35
Control of Militia	p. 36
Division of Militia with States	p. 36
District of Columbia	p. 37
Necessary and Proper	p. 37
Limits on Congress	p. 39
Right to Slave Trade	p. 39
Habeas Corpus	p. 40
Bill of Attainder, Ex Post Facto	p. 41
Capitation Tax	p. 41
Export Taxes on a State	p. 42
State Ports	p. 42
Appropriations by Law Only	p. 43
Titles and Emoluments	p. 43
Limits on States	p. 44
No State Shall	p. 44
No State Taxes on Interstate Commerce	p. 45
No State Port Taxes or Standing Armies	p. 46
Executive (President)	p. 47
Terms and Electors	p. 48
Executive Power and President	p. 48
Selecting Electors	p. 49
Electoral College	p. 50
Election Day	p. 51
Eligibility to be President	p. 52
Line of Succession	p. 53
Presidential Compensation	p. 54
Presidential Oath of Office	p. 54
Powers of the Executive	p. 55
Commander in Chief	p. 55
Pardons	p. 56
Advice and Consent, Treaties	p. 57
Appointments Clause	p. 57
Inferior Officers	p. 58
Recess Appointments	p. 58
Duties of the President	p. 58
State of the Union Report	p. 58
Emergency Sessions of Congress	p. 59
Receive Ambassadors	p. 59
Execute the Laws	p. 60
Commission Officers	p. 60
Impeachment of Executive	p. 61
Judiciary (Courts)	p. 62
Organization of the Courts	p. 63
Scope of Supreme Court	p. 64
Judicial Power (Arising)	p. 64
Jurisdiction	p. 65
Trial by Jury	p. 65
Treason	p. 66
Defining Treason	p. 66
Limits on Punishment for Treason	p. 66
Limitations on State Sovereignty	p. 67
States	p. 67
Full Faith and Credit	p. 67
Comity, or Mutual Respect	p. 67
Privileges and Immunities	p. 67
Extradition Rules	p. 68
Fugitive Slave Clause	p. 68
Formation of New Stares	p. 69
Admissions Clause	p. 69
Terrirories	p. 70
Guaranty of Republican Government	p. 70
Ratification, Amending, and National Supremacy	p. 71
Amending Process	p. 71
Constitution is Supreme Law	p. 72
Continuity Clause	p. 72
Supremacy Clause	p. 72
Oaths of Office	p. 73
Ratification Process	p. 73
Amendments	p. 75
Bill of Rights (first ten amendments)	p. 75
Speech, Press, Assembly, Religion, Petition	p. 80
Right to Keep and Bear Arms	p. 87
Quartering Troops	p. 91
Unreasonable Search and Seizure	p. 91
Due Process, Property	p. 95
Speedy Trial, Counsel	p. 99
Jury Trial	p. 101
Cruel and Unusual Punishment	p. 102
This List of Rights is Not Complete	p. 103
Powers Retained by States, People	p. 104
Caveats and Early Refinements	p. 105
States Cannot be sued	p. 105
Presidential Elections	p. 105
New Birth of Freedom: Civil Wa	p. 107
Slavery Ended	p. 107
Civil Rights	p. 109
Right to Vote for Black Males	p. 124
Progressive Era	p. 126
Income Taxes	p. 126
Election of Senators by Voters	p. 127
Liquor Outlawed	p. 129
Women Gain the Vote	p. 131
New Deal Era	p. 132
Details about Dares of Office	p. 132
Liquor Legalized	p. 135
Two Terms for President	p. 137
Most Recent	p. 138
Electoral Votes for Washington, DC	p. 138
Poll Taxes Prohibited	p. 139
Presidential Succession	p. 140
Eighteen-Year-Olds Gain the Vote	p. 143
Congressional Pay Raises Limited	p. 144
Beyond the Basics	p. 145
The Constitution Ought to Be Simple	p. 147
Acknowledgments	p. 153
Bibliography	p. 155
Index	p. 159
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