Historical Dictionary of the U.S. Constitution

by Richard S. Conley

Overview

The Historical Dictionary of the U.S. Constitution covers the Founding of the American Republic and the Framers, the drafting of the Constitution, constitutional debates over ratification, and traces key events, Supreme Court chief justices, amendments, and Supreme Court cases regarding the interpretation of the Constitution from 1789-2016.

The Historical Dictionary of the U.S. Constitution contains a chronology, an introduction, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 300 cross-referenced entries on key figures in the Founding, Supreme Court chief justices, explanations of the Articles and Amendments to the Constitution, and key Supreme Court cases. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about the U.S. Constitution.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442271876
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	08/16/2016
Series:	Historical Dictionaries of U.S. Politics and Political Eras
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	474
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Richard S. Conley is associate professor of political science. He specializes in the Presidency, presidential-congressional relations, and comparative executives and legislatures.

Table of Contents

Editor’s Foreword
Preface
Acronyms and Abbreviations
Chronology
Introduction
THE DICTIONARY
Appendix A: The Declaration of Independence and Signatories
Appendix B: The Constitution of the United States
Appendix C: Federalist No. 1
Appendix D: Federalist No. 2: Concerning Dangers from Foreign
Force and Influence
Appendix E: Federalist No. 9: The Union as a Safeguard Against
Domestic Faction and Insurrection
Appendix F: Federalist No. 10: The Same Subject Continued: The
Union as a Safeguard Against Domestic Faction and Insurrection
Appendix G: Federalist No. 13: Advantage of the Union in Respect
to Economy in Government
Appendix H: Federalist No. 15: The Insufficiency of the Present
Confederation to Preserve the Union
Appendix I: Federalist No. 37: Concerning the Difficulties of the
Convention in Devising a Proper Form of Government
Appendix J: Federalist No. 46: The Influence of the State and
Federal Governments Compared
Appendix K: Federalist No. 51: The Structure of the Government
Must Furnish the Proper Checks and Balances Between the
Different Departments
Appendix L: Federalist No. 52: The House of Representatives
Appendix M: Federalist No. 62: The Senate
Appendix N: Federalist No. 67: The Executive Department
Appendix O: Federalist No. 70: The Executive Department Further
Considered
Appendix P: Federalist No. 78: The Judiciary Department
Appendix Q: Federalist No. 85: Concluding Remarks
Appendix R: Anti-Federalist No. 1: General Introduction: A
Dangerous Plan of Benefit Only to the “Aristocratick
Combination”
Appendix S: Anti-Federalist No. 3: New Constitution Creates a
National Government; Will Not Abate Foreign Influence
Appendix T: Anti-Federalist No. 9: A Consolidated Government Is a
Tyranny
Appendix U: Anti-Federalist No. 14: Extent of Territory under
Consolidated Government Too Large to Preserve Liberty or
Protect Property
Appendix V: Anti-Federalist No. 21: Why the Articles Failed
Appendix W: Anti-Federalist No. 22: Articles of Confederation
Simply Requires Amendments, Particularly for Commercial
Power and Judicial Power; Constitution Goes Too Far
Appendix X: Anti-Federalist No. 37: Factions and the Constitution
Appendix Y: Anti-Federalist No. 47: “Balance” of Departments Not
Achieved under New Constitution
Appendix Z: Anti-Federalist No. 67: Various Fears Concerning the
Executive Department
Appendix AA: Anti-Federalist No. 84: On the Lack of a Bill of Rights
Appendix BB: Anti-Federalist No. 85: Concluding Remarks: Evils
under Confederation Exaggerated; Constitution Must Be
Drastically Revised Before Adoption
Appendix CC: Chief Justices of the Supreme Court, 1789–2016 407
Bibliography
About the Author

Editorial Reviews

Celebrate as you wish the joys of online research, but this simply arranged and wonderfully comprehensive dictionary proves that ink on paper still deserves considerable respect. A welcome addition to the acclaimed Scarecrow Press series of historical dictionaries, this title covers Death penalty to Dred Scott, Gay rights to Gun rights, and School prayer to Stare decisis. Amendments, court cases, legislation, personages, and concepts of political theory are succinctly explained via cogent definitions and spot-on historical context. Accompanying the 200-plus pages of A-Z entries is a carefully chosen selection of Federalist Papers. This reference will be well received by both academic and armchair historians.” —Booklist

“[Conley's] latest offering focuses on the United States Constitution, beginning with the obvious need for such a document in the wake of the Articles of Confederation. The volume begins with an introductory section that includes a listing of acronyms and abbreviations utilized, a chronology, and a general introduction to the topic. The bulk of the work is a dictionary with approximately 300 alphabetically arranged entries that explores not only the Constitution itself, but how it has been shaped and interpreted by politicians and Supreme Court Justices. . . .A strength of this reference work is the bibliography which is 42 pages long. This excellent ready reference tool is recommended for academic libraries serving undergraduates and for public libraries.” —American Reference Books Annual

“[T]here is a short chronology and an historical introduction. Then comes the alphabetical sequence of articles: it runs to a good 200 pages. . . .There are lots of cross-references in bold type which help trace relevant material. . . .Also included is the obligatory printing of the constitution itself, a reasonable inclusion in a book of this title. . . .As always with this series, the Historical Dictionary contains a good bibliography. . . .The Dictionary has value….” —Reference Reviews

“The Historical Dictionary of the Constitution is concise yet expansive. In one volume, Conley covers everything from the Declaration of Independence to Obergefell v. Hodges. It is comprehensive. It is accessible. It is, in a word, excellent.” —Dave Bridge, Baylor University, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science

“Perhaps no other document in the history of the United States is more venerated than the U.S. Constitution. Conley offers a comprehensive dictionary of the Constitution, including entries on constitutional clauses, the history of the Constitution's creation, and Supreme Court cases that have affected its meaning. This much breath from one person is remarkable.” —Keith Dougherty, University of Georgia, Professor, Department of Political Science

“Conley’s new Dictionary of the Constitution is both timely and timeless. Its fresh and clear treatment of important constitutional principles and cases makes it relevant to those seeking to understand the arc of contemporary constitutional controversies. Yet it also offers the user as concise and insightful a digest of enduring principles, beginning with Conley’s wonderful introductory treatment of the document’s formulation and evolution, to be found in print. Conley’s lucid treatment makes it accessible to the novice and insightful for the specialist. This is a fine work that belongs on the desk of anyone interested in the document that binds our country.” —Robert J. Spitzer, Distinguished Service Professor of Political Science, SUNY Cortland; author, "The Politics of Gun Control" and "Guns Across America: Reconciling Gun Rules and Rights"

From the Publisher

[T]here is a short chronology and an historical introduction. Then comes the alphabetical sequence of articles: it runs to a good 200 pages.. . .There are lots of cross-references in bold type which help trace relevant material.. . .Also included is the obligatory printing of the constitution itself, a reasonable inclusion in a book of this title.. . .As always with this series, the Historical Dictionary contains a good bibliography.. . .The Dictionary has value….

Reference Reviews

Conley’s new Dictionary of the Constitution is both timely and timeless. Its fresh and clear treatment of important constitutional principles and cases makes it relevant to those seeking to understand the arc of contemporary constitutional controversies. Yet it also offers the user as concise and insightful a digest of enduring principles, beginning with Conley’s wonderful introductory treatment of the document’s formulation and evolution, to be found in print. Conley’s lucid treatment makes it accessible to the novice and insightful for the specialist. This is a fine work that belongs on the desk of anyone interested in the document that binds our country.

Robert J. Spitzer

[Conley's] latest offering focuses on the United States Constitution, beginning with the obvious need for such a document in the wake of the Articles of Confederation. The volume begins with an introductory section that includes a listing of acronyms and abbreviations utilized, a chronology, and a general introduction to the topic. The bulk of the work is a dictionary with approximately 300 alphabetically arranged entries that explores not only the Constitution itself, but how it has been shaped and interpreted by politicians and Supreme Court Justices.. . .A strength of this reference work is the bibliography which is 42 pages long. This excellent ready reference tool is recommended for academic libraries serving undergraduates and for public libraries.

American Reference Books Annual

Perhaps no other document in the history of the United States is more venerated than the U.S. Constitution. Conley offers a comprehensive dictionary of the Constitution, including entries on constitutional clauses, the history of the Constitution's creation, and Supreme Court cases that have affected its meaning. This much breath from one person is remarkable.

Keith Dougherty

Celebrate as you wish the joys of online research, but this simply arranged and wonderfully comprehensive dictionary proves that ink on paper still deserves considerable respect. A welcome addition to the acclaimed Scarecrow Press series of historical dictionaries, this title covers Death penalty to Dred Scott, Gay rights to Gun rights, and School prayer to Stare decisis. Amendments, court cases, legislation, personages, and concepts of political theory are succinctly explained via cogent definitions and spot-on historical context. Accompanying the 200-plus pages of A-Z entries is a carefully chosen selection of Federalist Papers. This reference will be well received by both academic and armchair historians.

Booklist

The Historical Dictionary of the Constitution is concise yet expansive. In one volume, Conley covers everything from the Declaration of Independence to Obergefell v. Hodges. It is comprehensive. It is accessible. It is, in a word, excellent.​

Dave Bridge

Celebrate as you wish the joys of online research, but this simply arranged and wonderfully comprehensive dictionary proves that ink on paper still deserves considerable respect. A welcome addition to the acclaimed Scarecrow Press series of historical dictionaries, this title covers Death penalty to Dred Scott, Gay rights to Gun rights, and School prayer to Stare decisis. Amendments, court cases, legislation, personages, and concepts of political theory are succinctly explained via cogent definitions and spot-on historical context. Accompanying the 200-plus pages of A-Z entries is a carefully chosen selection of Federalist Papers. This reference will be well received by both academic and armchair historians.

Booklist

[T]here is a short chronology and an historical introduction. Then comes the alphabetical sequence of articles: it runs to a good 200 pages. . . .There are lots of cross-references in bold type which help trace relevant material. . . .Also included is the obligatory printing of the constitution itself, a reasonable inclusion in a book of this title. . . .As always with this series, the Historical Dictionary contains a good bibliography. . . .The Dictionary has value….

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[T]here is a short chronology and an historical introduction. Then comes the alphabetical sequence of articles: it runs to a good 200 pages. . . .There are lots of cross-references in bold type which help trace relevant material. . . .Also included is the obligatory printing of the constitution itself, a reasonable inclusion in a book of this title. . . .As always with this series, the Historical Dictionary contains a good bibliography. . . .The Dictionary has value….

"American Reference Books Annual"