The Constitution is not so simple that it explains itself—nor so complex that only experts can understand it. In this accessible, nonpartisan quick reference, historian Andrew Arnold provides concise explanations of the Constitution's meaning and history, offering little-known facts and anecdotes about every article and all twenty-seven amendments. This handy guide won’t tell you what the Constitution ought to say, nor what it ought to mean. It will tell you what the Constitution says and what it has meant. A Pocket Guide to the US Constitution presents a straightforward way to understand the American Constitutional system. Without wading through lengthy legal prose, heavy historical analysis, or polemical diatribes, you can easily find out what the emoluments clause means, learn about gerrymandering and separation of powers, or read a brief background on why slaves in colonial America were considered 3/5 of a person. Small enough to put in your pocket, backpack, or briefcase, A Pocket Guide to the US Constitution can be used to comprehend current events, dig deeper into court cases, or sort out your own opinions on constitutional issues.
Author(s): Andrew B. Arnold
Edition: 2nd
Publisher: Georgetown University Press
Year: 2018
Language: English
Pages: 201
Tags: Constitutional Law: United States, United States: Politics And Government, United States, Constitution
Cover......Page 1
Title......Page 4
Copyright......Page 5
Brief Contents......Page 6
Detailed Contents......Page 8
Preface to the Second Edition......Page 14
Note to the Reader......Page 16
Constitution and Amendments......Page 18
I. Structure and Preamble "We the People..."......Page 20
Preamble......Page 21
II. Three Branches of Government......Page 24
Article 1. Legislative......Page 25
1.1.1. Legislative Power Defined......Page 26
1.2.1. Composition of House......Page 27
1.2.3. Apportionment (Three Fifths Clause)......Page 30
1.2.5. Rules and Impeachment......Page 34
1.3.1. Definition of the Senate......Page 35
1.3.2. Staggering Terms of Office......Page 36
1.3.3. Qualifications for Senators......Page 37
1.3.4. Role of the Vice President......Page 38
1.3.6. Senate Impeachment Power......Page 39
1.4.1. Senators and Representatives......Page 40
1.5.2. Rules, Punishment, Expulsion......Page 41
1.5.3. Openness, Secrecy, Roll Call Votes......Page 42
1.6.1. Payment and Immunities......Page 43
1.6.2. Incompatibility and Emoluments......Page 44
1.7.1. Tax Laws......Page 45
1.7.2. Presentment Clause......Page 46
1.7.3. All Bills, Full Legislative Process......Page 48
1.8.1. Taxes, Debt, Welfare, Uniformity......Page 49
1.8.3. Commerce Clause......Page 50
1.8.5. Money, Standard Weights, and Measures......Page 55
1.8.7. Post Offices and Post Roads......Page 56
1.8.10. High Seas and Laws of Nations......Page 57
1.8.12. Army......Page 58
1.8.16. Division of Militia with States......Page 59
1.8.18. Necessary and Proper......Page 60
1.9.2. Habeas Corpus......Page 62
1.9.3. Bill of Attainder, Ex Post Facto......Page 63
1.9.4. Capitation Tax......Page 64
1.9.7. Appropriations by Law Only......Page 65
1.9.8. Titles and Emoluments......Page 66
1.10.1. No state shall......Page 67
1.10.3. Port Taxes and Standing Armies......Page 69
Article 2. Executive......Page 70
2.1.1. Executive Power and President......Page 71
2.1.2. Selecting Electors......Page 72
2.1.3. Electoral College......Page 73
2.1.5. Eligibility to Be President......Page 75
2.1.6. Line of Succession......Page 76
2.1.8. Presidential Oath of Office......Page 77
2.2.1a. Commander in Chief......Page 78
2.2.1b. Pardons......Page 79
2.2.2b. Appointments Clause......Page 80
2.2.3. Recess Appointments......Page 81
2.3.1b. Emergency Sessions of Congress......Page 82
2.3.1e. Commission Officers......Page 83
Article 3. Judicial......Page 84
3.1.1. Organization of the Courts......Page 85
3.2.1. Judicial Power (Arising)......Page 87
3.2.2. Jurisdiction......Page 88
3.3.2. Limits on Punishment for Treason......Page 89
4.1.1. Full Faith and Credit......Page 91
4.2.3. Fugitive Slave Clause......Page 92
4.3.1. Admissions Clause......Page 93
4.4.1. Guarantee of a Republican Government......Page 94
5.1. Amending the Constitution......Page 96
6.2. Supremacy Clause......Page 97
7.1. Ratification......Page 98
Bill of Rights......Page 102
1. Freedom of Speech, Press, Assembly, Religion, Petition......Page 107
2. Right to Keep and Bear Arms......Page 114
4. Unreasonable Search and Seizure......Page 118
5. Due Process, Property......Page 122
6. Speedy Trial, Counsel......Page 126
7. Jury Trial......Page 128
8. Cruel and Unusual Punishment......Page 129
9. This List of Rights Is Not Complete......Page 130
10. Powers Retained by States, People......Page 131
12. Presidential Elections......Page 133
13. Slavery Ended......Page 135
14. Civil Rights......Page 137
1. States Are Prohibited from Abridging......Page 139
2. Penalty for Restricting the Vote......Page 142
4. Repudiation of Confederate War Debt......Page 143
5. Power of Enforcement......Page 144
15. Black Men Gain the Vote......Page 156
16. Income Taxes......Page 158
17. Election of Senators by Voters......Page 159
18. Liquor Outlawed......Page 160
20. Details about Dates of Office......Page 162
21. Liquor Legalized......Page 165
22. Two Terms for Presidents......Page 167
23. Electoral Votes for Washington, DC......Page 168
25. Presidential Succession......Page 169
26. 18-Year-Olds Gain the Vote......Page 172
27. Congressional Pay Raises Limited......Page 173
Conclusion......Page 174
The American Creed......Page 176
Constitutional Quotations......Page 182
Acknowledgments......Page 186
Bibliography......Page 188
B......Page 192
C......Page 193
F......Page 194
I......Page 195
M......Page 196
P......Page 197
R......Page 198
S......Page 199
U......Page 200
Z......Page 201
