The Bill of Rights: A History in Documents

by John J. Patrick

Overview

The Bill of Rights is an extraordinary collection of original documents, carefully introduced and put into context by historian John Patrick, that traces the origins of the Bill of Rights back to England's Magna Carta and its legal traditions through to present day controversies over freedoms of speech, religion, bearing arms, assembling, and more. Examples of challenges to the Bill of Rights include:

* The Sedition Act of 1798, which made it illegal to express criticism of the U.S. government

• The internment of Japanese Americans during World War II
• George W. Bush's Executive Order of November 13, 2001, expanding the government's authority against individuals when terrorism is suspected.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195103540
Publisher:	Oxford University Press, USA
Publication date:	01/23/2003
Series:	Pages from History Series
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	13 - 17 Years

About the Author

John J. Patrick is Professor of Education in the School of Education at Indiana University. He is also Director of the Social Studies Development Center and Director of the ERIC Clearinghouse for Social Studies/Social Science Education at Indiana University. Professor Patrick is the author or co-author of many publications on civic education, history education, and political ideas. Among his recent publications are The Oxford Guide to the U.S. Government (Oxford, 2001) and The Supreme Court of the United States: A Student Companion (Oxford, 2001).

Table of Contents

What is a Document?
How to Read a Document
Introduction

Chapter One: The Roots of American Rights

Transporting Rights to the American Colonies
New Charters of Rights
A New Philosophy of Rights

Chapter Two: Rights and Revolution in America

American Protests
Resolutions in Defense of Rights
The Declaration of Independence

Chapter Three: The Birth of the Bill of Rights

Rights in the New American States
Rights in the U.S. Constitution
Constitutional Amendments

Chapter Four: The Bill of Rights Marginalized

The Sedition Act Controversy
Landmark Opinions of Chief Justice Marshall
Contradiction of Ideals
The Dred Scott Case

Chapter Five: Rights Renewed and Denied

Rights Proclaimed and Restricted
Rights Denied to Women
Rights Denied to African Americans

Chapter Six: A Resurgence of Rights

Freedom and National Security during World War I
The Incorporation Doctrine
Issues of Freedom during World War II

Chapter Seven: nationalization of the Bill of Rights

Standards for Using the Incorporation Doctrine
Equal Protection of the Laws
National Standards on Rights of the Accused

Chapter Eight: Picture Essay: Political Cartoons on the Right to Bear Arms

Chapter Nine: Consensus and Controversy

The Rights to Privacy and Abortion
Limits to Freedom of Expression
The Government and Religion
An American heritage

Timeline
Further Reading
Text Credits
Picture Credits
Index

Editorial Reviews

"Illuminating." — American Reference Book Annual

"The Bill of Rights: A History in Documents depicts the fight to defend civil liberties and examines through history the triumphs of the Bill of Rights....A detailed account of the history and differences this document has brought about." —NEA Today

From the Publisher

Gr 9 Up-Tracing the concept of human rights from the Magna Carta and John Locke's philosophy through to the present day, the author demonstrates through documents the development and interpretation of these rights in American history. A useful introduction defines primary-source documents and how to read them. Patrick then presents a brief overview of particular events and discusses the documents associated with them. He includes excerpts from the primary sources and a summary. Various period maps, cartoons, drawings, and court opinions are also included. Sidebars consisting of mini-biographies, quotes, and drawings provide added dimension. Readers get a true sense of the times, especially by perusing the court opinions. The issues of human rights, the civil rights amendments, the application of these rights in state constitutions, and the question of minority and majority rights are discussed. The chronological organization of the book provides students with an understanding of the evolution and the extent of the Bill of Rights. A chapter of political cartoons about the Second Amendment demonstrates how the interpretation of these rights is a continuing process. This attractive and informative volume will be a valuable resource for most collections.-Lana Miles, Duchesne Academy, Houston, TX Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

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