John R. Vile

The Writing and Ratification of the U.S. Constitution (eBook, PDF)

Practical Virtue in Action

• Format: PDF

Produktbeschreibung

The Writing and Ratification of the U.S. Constitution: Practical Virtue in Action examines the events surrounding the development of the U.S. Constitution. Setting these events within the context of the colonial conflict with Britain and the experience with state constitutions under the Articles of Confederation, John R. Vile discusses the delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention of 1787, the major plans and proposals that delegates offered, and the arguments that delegates made both in the Convention and in subsequent state ratifying debates that ultimately led to the adoption of the U.S. Bill of Rights. Vile contends that the Convention and subsequent ratifying conventions were not mere exercises in political theory but practical attempts to formulate a workable government that all the states would ratify. Focusing chiefly on records of debates at the Convention, the book is a legal brief, identifying key facts, issues, arguments, and compromises, and providing a unique window into the contestation surrounding this keystone American political moment. This book is perfect for scholars and students in the field of American political history and development.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Bloomsbury eBooks US
• Seitenzahl: 1
• Erscheinungstermin: 13. Juli 2012
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9798216216957
• Artikelnr.: 75142675

Autorenporträt

John R. Vile is professor of political science at Middle Tennessee State University. He is the author or editor of numerous books on political science and constitutional law, including Encyclopedia of the First Amendment, The Encyclopedia of Constitutional Amendments, and A Companion to the U.S. Constitution and Its Amendments.

Inhaltsangabe

Preface
Timeline
Chapter 1: The Revolution and the Articles of Confederation Set the Stage
The Colonial Background . The Developing Split with England . The
Declaration of Independence . Developments in the States . The Articles of
Confederation . The Confluence of State and National Influences . The
Annapolis Convention . Shay's Rebellion . The Stage is Set
Chapter 2: The Convention Begins and Randolph Introduces the Virginia Plan
Delegates Assemble . A Collective Portrait of the Delegates . Delegations
from the Eastern (Northern, or New England) States . Delegations from the
Middle States . Delegations from the Southern States . Selecting Officers
and Recording Debates . Rules of the Convention . Randolph Introduces the
Virginia Plan . Clarifying What the Virginia Plan Was Proposing to do .
Discussion of the Proposed Congress . Discussion of the Proposed Executive
. Discussions of the Proposed Judiciary and Related Matters . Further
Discussions of the Proposed Legislature Wax Philosophical . Discussion of
the Proposed Council of Revision . Discussion of the Proposed Second House
. Discussion of the Proposed Congressional Negative of State Laws .
Choosing the Executive . Apportioning Congress: A Preview of Things to Come
. The End of the Beginning . Report of the Committee of the Whole
Chapter 3: Paterson and Hamilton Offer Alternative Plans
Introduction of the New Jersey Plan . The Initial Defense of the New Jersey
Plan . Further Discussion of the New Jersey Plan . Alexander Hamilton
Speaks . Hamilton's Plan . Reception of Hamilton's Proposals . Madison's
Speech
Chapter 4: Delegates Debate the Report of the Committee of the Whole
Renewed Discussion of the Report of the Committee of the Whole .
Bicameralism and Federalism . Terms of the First House . Congressional Pay
. Minimum Age for Members of the First House . Concerns Over a Revolving
Door . Charles Pinckney's Speech . Discussion of the Second House . Terms
of Senators . Franklin Suggest Prayer . Further Discussion of State
Representation in Congress . Gunning Bedford's Bombshell . A Committee
Tries Its Hand at Compromise . Discussion of Committee Proposals . Creation
of a Committee on Original Apportionment of Congress . Further Discussion
of Congress . Report of the Committee on Original Apportionment of Congress
. The Convention Creates Another Committee to Reconsider Original
Apportionment . Counting Slaves by Fractions . The Great Compromise
Chapter 5: From the Great Compromise to the Committee of Detail
The Convention Rejects the Proposed Congressional Negative of State Laws .
Selection of the Executive . Executive Term Lengths . Discussion of the
Judiciary . Guaranteeing State Governments . Renewed Discussion of the
Executive . Impeachment . The Council of Revision . Judicial Selection .
Oaths . Ratification of the Constitution . Representation in the Senate .
Legislative Selection of the Executive Reconsidered . Executive
Re-eligibility and Term Lengths . Property and Anti-Debtor Qualifications
for Legislators . Location of the Capital
Chapter 6: Debates Over Report of the Committee of Detail
Principles Applied by the Committee of Detail . An Outline of the Report
from the Committee of Detail . Provisions Relative to Congress .
Congressional Meeting Times . Voting Qualifications . Qualifications for
the House of Representatives . Slavery and Related Issues . Filling
Senatorial Vacancies . Durational Citizenship Requirements . Congressional
Oversight of Federal Elections . Property Qualifications for Members of
Congress . Quorums and Other Congressional Matters . Years of Citizenship
for Members of the First House . The Origination of Money Bills .
Eligibility of Members of Congress to Other Jobs . Pay for Members of
Congress . Council of Revision and Veto Powers . Congressional Powers .
First Report from the Committee on State Debts and Militia . Importation
and Taxation of Slaves . Protections for Civil Liberties . Governing the
Militia and Negating State Laws . Treaties . The Executive Branch .
Importation and Taxation of Slaves Reconsidered . Treaties Reconsidered .
Pardons and Militia . Judicial Powers . Prohibitions on the States .
Supermajorities and Commercial Regulations . The Admission of New States .
State Ratification of the Constitution . More Committees . Report by the
Committee on Postponed Matters . Further Proposals and Debates Relative to
the Committee on Postponed Matters . Constitutional Amendments and Their
Ratification
Chapter 7: Wrapping Up Business, Signing, and Ratifying
Congressional Majorities Needed to Override an Executive Veto . Proposals
for a Bill of Rights . Tinkering with the Constitution from the Committee
of Style and Arrangement . Reservations About the Document . The Signing of
the Constitution . Outline of the Constitution . Ratification of the
Constitution . Federalists and Antifederalists . State Conventions Meet .
Adoption of the Bill of Rights . The Post-Civil War Amendments . The
Importance of the Convention and Its Aftermath
Selected Bibliography
Selected Documents
The Declaration of Independence . The Articles of Confederation . The
Constitution of the United States . The Virginia Plan . The New Jersey Plan
. Federalist No. 10
Index