Contesting the Constitution: Congress Debates the Missouri Crisis, 1819-1821 (Studies in Constitutional Democracy) - Hardcover

William S. Belko (editor)

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0826222285 ISBN 13: 9780826222282

Publisher: University of Missouri Press, 2021

Synopsis

The admission of Missouri to the Union quickly became a constitutional crisis of the first order, inciting an intensive reexamination of the U.S. Constitution by the U.S. Congress. The heart of the question in need of resolution was whether that body possessed the authority to place conditions on a territory-in this instance Missouri-regarding restrictions on slavery-before its admittance to the Union.

The larger question with which the legislators grappled were the limits of the Constitution's provisions granting Congress the authority to affect the institution of slavery-both where it already existed and where it could expand. The issue-what would come to be known as the Missouri Crisis-severely tested the still young republic and, some four decades later, would all but rend it asunder. This timely collection of original essays thoughtfully engages the intersections of history and constitutional law, and is certain to find eager readers among historians, legal scholars, political scientists, as well as many who call Missouri home.

About this title

About the Author

William S. Belko is the Executive Director of the Missouri Humanities Council and author of several books including, Philip Pendleton Barbour in Jacksonian America: An Old Republican in King Andrew's Court and The Invincible Duff Green: Whig of the West (also published by the University of Missouri Press). He lives in the St. Louis area.

Edition details

• Publisher: University of Missouri Press
• Publication date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0826222285
• ISBN 13: 9780826222282
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 224