Legal Precedent: Legislating from the Bench
Because the judiciary's duties are not defined in the Constitution, its role in the policy-making arena is often debated. The Supreme Court's mandate says Michael Perry, "is not to do justice as the justices understand justice....It is rather to mak...
Rivals and Friends: Jefferson as Administrator
Jefferson avoids Adams' mistakes in selecting his cabinet, appointing such talented administrators as Albert Gallatin and James Madison who share his views. In his first administration the Republicans control both houses of Congress, and Jefferson b...
Ratification Debate, The
Historian and author Bernard Bailyn talks about the importance of the ratification debate for the eventual success of the United States Constitution. "Once it was clear that there would be amendments to it that would carry the principles of the Anti...
Living Constitution, The: Way of Limiting Power, A
The Framers confined the scope of government to Constitutional grants of power. Authority not granted to government by the Constitution is, in theory, denied to it. The national army is an example of how power was constrained. The powers of governme...
Living Constitution, The: Close Call, A
As the state ratifying conventions continue results are not as predictable. A number of states like Massachusetts are closely divided; several had Anti-Federalist majorities. Rhode Island rejects the Constitution by popular referendum. What happens ...
Rising Tide of Opposition, A
Historian and author Bernard Bailyn talks about why the British were not successful in overcoming American resistance in the early part of the Revolutionary War. He credits George Washington for his military leadership and also acknowledges the impo...
Most Basic of Rights, The: Freedom of the Press...Has It Gone Too Far?
Freedom of the press was an important element from the early years of this country. For a brief period in the late 18th century the Sedition Act limited the right of the press to criticize the federal government but that was short lived. Since two W...
Rise of George Washington, The
Historian and author Bernard Bailyn talks about the role George Washington played in the growth and development of the early United States. Professor Bailyn attributes much of Washington's success, both on the battlefield and as President, to his pe...
American Experiment, The: Steps Toward a Constitutional Democracy
In the 19th century British Prime Minister Gladstone called the American Constitution "the most remarkable work in modern times produced by the human intellect at a single stroke." Historian Bernard Bailyn agrees that our constitutional system is re...
Best Laid Plans...: Madison's Presidency
The election of James Madison as president in 1808 continues the procession of Republican presidents from Virginia, although the Federalists capture an increased number of votes. In his final days in office Jefferson signs a bill that lifts the emba...