Understanding the Constitution

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.

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

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

FREE SHIPPING

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

Understanding the Constitution

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials