Synopses & Reviews
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.
Review
"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
Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references (p. 197-199) and index.
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