The First American Constitutions

Author : Willi Paul Adams
Publisher : Rowman & Littlefield
Page : 406 pages
File Size : 49,7 Mb
Release : 2001
Category : History
ISBN : 0742520692

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The First American Constitutions by Willi Paul Adams Pdf

For the last twenty years this book has been cited by every serious writer on early American constitutional development. Any constitutional history of the independent United States must begin with this comprehensive study. Professor Adams combines a European perspective and a thorough knowledge of the antecedents of 1787 to create an insightful analysis of the replacement by the revolutionary generation of one government by another by--they thought--"constitutional" means. Acting for "the people" in 11 of the 13 rebelling states, various kinds of self-empowered committees, "congresses," or "conventions" created new constitutions and a system in which the states dominated over the weaker Confederation government. This volume contains two new chapters: one demonstrating precedents in the state constitutions for the U.S. Constitution, and another chapter critically testing the "republicanism over liberalism" thesis against political ideas and institutional arrangements that constitute the first state constitutions. The bibliography has been updated to include the rich body of work written during the last two decades, much of it indebted to this pioneering study.

Author : Richard Beeman
Publisher : Random House Trade Paperbacks
Page : 546 pages
File Size : 46,7 Mb
Release : 2010-02-09
Category : History
ISBN : 9780812976847

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Plain, Honest Men by Richard Beeman Pdf

In May 1787, in an atmosphere of crisis, delegates met in Philadelphia to design a radically new form of government. Distinguished historian Richard Beeman captures as never before the dynamic of the debate and the characters of the men who labored that historic summer. Virtually all of the issues in dispute—the extent of presidential power, the nature of federalism, and, most explosive of all, the role of slavery—have continued to provoke conflict throughout our nation's history. This unprecedented book takes readers behind the scenes to show how the world's most enduring constitution was forged through conflict, compromise, and fragile consensus. As Gouverneur Morris, delegate of Pennsylvania, noted: "While some have boasted it as a work from Heaven, others have given it a less righteous origin. I have many reasons to believe that it is the work of plain, honest men."

Author : Edward A. Kole
Publisher : Infinity Publishing
Page : 1 pages
File Size : 42,6 Mb
Release : 1999-07
Category : Constitutions
ISBN : 9780741402356

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The True Intent of the First American Constitutions of 1776-1791 by Edward A. Kole Pdf

Author : Jack N. Rakove
Publisher : Vintage
Page : 464 pages
File Size : 44,9 Mb
Release : 2010-04-21
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9780307434517

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Original Meanings by Jack N. Rakove Pdf

From abortion to same-sex marriage, today's most urgent political debates will hinge on this two-part question: What did the United States Constitution originally mean and who now understands its meaning best? Rakove chronicles the Constitution from inception to ratification and, in doing so, traces its complex weave of ideology and interest, showing how this document has meant different things at different times to different groups of Americans.

Author : Alexander Hamilton,John Jay,James Madison
Publisher : Read Books Ltd
Page : 455 pages
File Size : 43,5 Mb
Release : 2018-08-20
Category : History
ISBN : 9781528785877

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The Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton,John Jay,James Madison Pdf

Classic Books Library presents this brand new edition of “The Federalist Papers”, a collection of separate essays and articles compiled in 1788 by Alexander Hamilton. Following the United States Declaration of Independence in 1776, the governing doctrines and policies of the States lacked cohesion. “The Federalist”, as it was previously known, was constructed by American statesman Alexander Hamilton, and was intended to catalyse the ratification of the United States Constitution. Hamilton recruited fellow statesmen James Madison Jr., and John Jay to write papers for the compendium, and the three are known as some of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Alexander Hamilton (c. 1755–1804) was an American lawyer, journalist and highly influential government official. He also served as a Senior Officer in the Army between 1799-1800 and founded the Federalist Party, the system that governed the nation’s finances. His contributions to the Constitution and leadership made a significant and lasting impact on the early development of the nation of the United States.

Author : Peter J. Galie,Christopher Bopst,Bethany Kirschner
Publisher : Springer Nature
Page : 389 pages
File Size : 47,6 Mb
Release : 2020-09-14
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9783030443016

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Bills of Rights Before the Bill of Rights by Peter J. Galie,Christopher Bopst,Bethany Kirschner Pdf

This book is a documentary history of the rights found in the American state constitutions adopted between 1776 and 1790. Despite the rich tradition of rights at the state level, rights in America have been identified almost exclusively with the national Bill of Rights. Indeed, there is no work that provides a comprehensive treatment of the early state declarations of rights. Rather, these declarations have been viewed as halting first steps towards the adoption of the national Bill of Rights in 1791. Bringing together the full text of the rights provisions from the 13 original states and Vermont, this book presents America’s first tradition of rights on its own terms and as part of this country’s heritage of rights. Early chapters will examine the sources of these rights and provide a comparative framework. An introduction to each chapter will review that state’s colonial history, focusing on any charters or legislation related to rights protections that help explain its constitutional provisions. This work will make it possible for students, scholars, and interested citizens to rediscover the first fruits of the American Revolution.

Author : New York (State). Constitutional Convention,George A. Glynn
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 1078 pages
File Size : 45,9 Mb
Release : 1894
Category : Constitutional law
ISBN : STANFORD:36105064107951

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American Constitutions by New York (State). Constitutional Convention,George A. Glynn Pdf

Author : Akhil Reed Amar
Publisher : Random House
Page : 672 pages
File Size : 41,8 Mb
Release : 2012-02-29
Category : History
ISBN : 9781588364876

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America's Constitution by Akhil Reed Amar Pdf

In America’s Constitution, one of this era’s most accomplished constitutional law scholars, Akhil Reed Amar, gives the first comprehensive account of one of the world’s great political texts. Incisive, entertaining, and occasionally controversial, this “biography” of America’s framing document explains not only what the Constitution says but also why the Constitution says it. We all know this much: the Constitution is neither immutable nor perfect. Amar shows us how the story of this one relatively compact document reflects the story of America more generally. (For example, much of the Constitution, including the glorious-sounding “We the People,” was lifted from existing American legal texts, including early state constitutions.) In short, the Constitution was as much a product of its environment as it was a product of its individual creators’ inspired genius. Despite the Constitution’s flaws, its role in guiding our republic has been nothing short of amazing. Skillfully placing the document in the context of late-eighteenth-century American politics, America’s Constitution explains, for instance, whether there is anything in the Constitution that is unamendable; the reason America adopted an electoral college; why a president must be at least thirty-five years old; and why–for now, at least–only those citizens who were born under the American flag can become president. From his unique perspective, Amar also gives us unconventional wisdom about the Constitution and its significance throughout the nation’s history. For one thing, we see that the Constitution has been far more democratic than is conventionally understood. Even though the document was drafted by white landholders, a remarkably large number of citizens (by the standards of 1787) were allowed to vote up or down on it, and the document’s later amendments eventually extended the vote to virtually all Americans. We also learn that the Founders’ Constitution was far more slavocratic than many would acknowledge: the “three fifths” clause gave the South extra political clout for every slave it owned or acquired. As a result, slaveholding Virginians held the presidency all but four of the Republic’s first thirty-six years, and proslavery forces eventually came to dominate much of the federal government prior to Lincoln’s election. Ambitious, even-handed, eminently accessible, and often surprising, America’s Constitution is an indispensable work, bound to become a standard reference for any student of history and all citizens of the United States.

Author : George P. Fletcher
Publisher : Oxford University Press
Page : 308 pages
File Size : 54,8 Mb
Release : 2003-01-16
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 0198032439

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Our Secret Constitution by George P. Fletcher Pdf

Americans hate and distrust their government. At the same time, Americans love and trust their government. These contradictory attitudes are resolved by Fletcher's novel interpretation of constitutional history. He argues that we have two constitutions--still living side by side--one that caters to freedom and fear, the other that satisfied our needs for security and social justice. The first constitution came into force in 1789. It stresses freedom, voluntary association, and republican elitism. The second constitution begins with the Gettysburg Address and emphasizes equality, organic nationhood, and popular democracy. These radical differences between our two constitutions explain our ambivalence and self-contradictory attitudes toward government. With September 11 the second constitution--which Fletcher calls the Secret Constitution--has become ascendant. When America is under threat, the nation cultivates its solidarity. It overcomes its fear and looks to government for protection and the pursuit of social justice. Lincoln's messages of a strong government and a nation that must "long endure" have never been more relevant to American politics. "Fletcher's argument has intriguing implications beyond the sweeping subject of this profoundly thought-provoking book."--The Denver Post

Author : Allan C. Hutchinson
Publisher : University of Toronto Press
Page : 220 pages
File Size : 42,7 Mb
Release : 2021
Category : Constitutional law
ISBN : 9781487507930

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Democracy and Constitutions by Allan C. Hutchinson Pdf

Bold and unconventional, this book advocates for an institutional turn-about in the relationship between democracy and constitutionalism.

Author : Richard Brandon Morris
Publisher : Franklin Watts
Page : 78 pages
File Size : 48,8 Mb
Release : 1958
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN : 0531005119

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The First Book of the Constitution by Richard Brandon Morris Pdf

Discusses the writing of the Constitution and includes a short outline. Also includes a discussion of the weaknesses of confederation government and descriptions of the founding fathers.

Author : Robert Williams
Publisher : Oxford University Press
Page : 456 pages
File Size : 47,6 Mb
Release : 2009-10-22
Category : Law
ISBN : 9780199711307

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The Law of American State Constitutions by Robert Williams Pdf

The Law of American State Constitutions provides complete coverage of the legal doctrines surrounding, applying to, and arising from American state constitutions and their judicial interpretation. Using specific examples, Professor Williams provides legal analysis of the nature and function of state constitutions by contrast to the federal Constitution, including rights, separation of powers, policy-based provisions, the judicial interpretation issues that arise under state constitutions and the processes for their amendment and revision. Reference is made to history and political theory, but legal analysis is the primary focus. The Law of American State Constitutions provides an important analytical tool that explains the unique character and the range of judicial interpretation of these constitutions, together with the specialized techniques of argument and interpretation surrounding state constitutions. This is the first book to present a complete picture of the current body of state constitutional law and its judicial interpretation.

Author : G. Alan Tarr,Robert F. Williams
Publisher : SUNY Press
Page : 228 pages
File Size : 52,9 Mb
Release : 2006-06-01
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 0791466140

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State Constitutions for the Twenty-first Century, Volume 1 by G. Alan Tarr,Robert F. Williams Pdf

The first systematic analysis of the obstacles to state constitutional reform.

Author : Donald S. Lutz
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 448 pages
File Size : 47,5 Mb
Release : 1998
Category : Constitutional history
ISBN : STANFORD:36105060994543

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Colonial Origins of the American Constitution by Donald S. Lutz Pdf

Presents 80 documents selected to reflect Eric Voegelin's theory that in Western civilization basic political symbolizations tend to be variants of the original symbolization of Judeo-Christian religious tradition. These documents demonstrate the continuity of symbols preceding the writing of the Constitution and all contain a number of basic symbols such as: a constitution as higher law, popular sovereignty, legislative supremacy, the deliberative process, and a virtuous people. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Author : David J. Bodenhamer
Publisher : Oxford University Press
Page : 296 pages
File Size : 46,9 Mb
Release : 2012-02-01
Category : History
ISBN : 9780199913039

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The Revolutionary Constitution by David J. Bodenhamer Pdf

The framers of the Constitution chose their words carefully when they wrote of a more perfect union--not absolutely perfect, but with room for improvement. Indeed, we no longer operate under the same Constitution as that ratified in 1788, or even the one completed by the Bill of Rights in 1791--because we are no longer the same nation. In The Revolutionary Constitution, David J. Bodenhamer provides a comprehensive new look at America's basic law, integrating the latest legal scholarship with historical context to highlight how it has evolved over time. The Constitution, he notes, was the product of the first modern revolution, and revolutions are, by definition, moments when the past shifts toward an unfamiliar future, one radically different from what was foreseen only a brief time earlier. In seeking to balance power and liberty, the framers established a structure that would allow future generations to continually readjust the scale. Bodenhamer explores this dynamic through seven major constitutional themes: federalism, balance of powers, property, representation, equality, rights, and security. With each, he takes a historical approach, following their changes over time. For example, the framers wrote multiple protections for property rights into the Constitution in response to actions by state governments after the Revolution. But twentieth-century courts--and Congress--redefined property rights through measures such as zoning and the designation of historical landmarks (diminishing their commercial value) in response to the needs of a modern economy. The framers anticipated just such a future reworking of their own compromises between liberty and power. With up-to-the-minute legal expertise and a broad grasp of the social and political context, this book is a tour de force of Constitutional history and analysis.