Defining Documents in American History: The Constitution

Book Synopsis: As the supreme law of the country, the Constitution delineates the nation's frame of government and was originally comprised of seven articles. The first three articles put forth the separation of powers (three branches of government), the next three embody the concepts of federalism (rights and responsibilities of the states in relationship to the federal government), and the last article established the procedure used by the then 13 states to ratify it. It has been amended 27 times to meet the needs of a nation that has undergone profound change. The first ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights and were added at the insistence of Anti-Federalists who sought guarantees of personal freedoms and restrictions on government power. Various other amendments likewise relate to federal authority. The Constitution has remained in force for over two centuries due to the way the framers separated and balanced governmental powers. It is interpreted, supplemented, and implemented by a large body of federal constitutional law, and has influenced the constitutions of other nations.

Documents examined in this two-volume set include:

• Documents from the Constitutional Convention
• Federalist Papers for and against ratification
• Articles on the Separation of Powers
• Amendments on Voting and Elections
• Debates about Government's Role in Commerce
• Debates over the key Articles of the Constitution
• The Bill of Rights
• Amendments on Federal Authority and States' Rights
• Amendments safeguarding Justice and Criminal Procedure
• Supreme Court cases testing Constitutional principles

Each in-depth chapter provides a thorough commentary and analysis of each primary source document, often reprinted in its entirety. Commentary includes a Summary, Overview, Defining Moment, Author Biography, Detailed Document Analysis, and discussion of Essential Themes.