Articles by Eleanor Stratton

Franklin Delano Roosevelt's unprecedented four-term presidency from 1933 to 1945 sparked a vigorous debate about the potential for excessive accumulation of executive power. The convention of a two-term limit, set forth informally by George Washington, had been a guiding precedent for all...

James Wilson Biography

James Wilson's journey from Scotland to American greatness is marked by resilience and intellectual prowess. Born on September 14, 1742, in Carskerdo, Scotland, he studied at prestigious institutions like St. Andrews, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, gaining a rich foundation in philosophy and the...

The 27th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which controls how and when pay changes for members of Congress can take effect, has a backstory steeped in the early principles and procedural intricacies of American governance. Initially proposed in 1789 by James Madison, this amendment aimed to...

In the aftermath of the Civil War, the United States grappled with the reconstruction of the Southern states and the integration of millions of freed slaves into American civic life. The Fifteenth Amendment, focused on securing voting rights irrespective of “race, color, or previous condition of...

In the early 20th century, public dissatisfaction grew due to the ineffectual and often corrupt manner in which U.S. Senators were elected. State legislatures controlled the process, leading to maneuverings, stalemates, and Senate seats remaining vacant for long periods. This flawed state...

The Fifth Amendment's grand jury provision is integral to America's justice system, offering a buffer against arbitrary accusations. Grand juries determine whether sufficient evidence exists for a criminal case to proceed to trial. These juries of 12 to 23 people examine the validity of accusations...

The Necessary and Proper Clause, known as the Elastic Clause, is a crucial part of the U.S. Constitution that grants Congress the power to make laws that are necessary and proper for carrying out its duties. This clause was the result of debates between those who wanted a strong federal government...

Campaign finance law regulates the influence of money in politics, designed to ensure transparency and fairness in political campaigns. Contributions can be direct, such as donations to candidates, or indirect, such as funds spent by Political Action Committees (PACs) and Super PACs, which have...

The debate surrounding the Secretary of Education's authority to cancel student debt involves complex statutory interpretations. The Higher Education Act states that the Secretary may "compromise, waive, or release any" federal student loan "claim." Supporters infer from this clause that the...

The Citizenship Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment is pivotal in American constitutional discourse, particularly around birthright citizenship. Drafted in reaction to the oppressive Black Codes and the Dred Scott decision, its purpose was to ensure that anyone born on U.S. soil, regardless of race,...

The Seventh Amendment, which preserves the right to a jury trial in civil cases within federal courts, has deep roots in English legal customs. This connection is critical to understanding the Amendment's inception and its lasting value in the American jurisprudence system. The origins trace back...

The Sixth Amendment draws significantly from English common law, particularly the Magna Carta of 1215, which established that free men could not be punished except through the law of the land. The Habeas Corpus Act of 1679 further crystallized the right to a court hearing. As tensions grew between...

Following the chaotic 1932 election during the depths of the Great Depression, the prolonged lag between Election Day in November and Inauguration Day in March only intensified the nation's staggering financial uncertainties. With a banking crisis deepening and unemployment at an all-time high, an...

In 1800, a significant flaw in the electoral system became evident during the contentious presidential battle between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr. The election ultimately highlighted the necessity for substantial modifications leading to the 12th Amendment. The problem lay in the Electoral...

The Supreme Court's case, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission , became a pivotal event in political history, markedly altering the landscape of American electoral finance. Originating from a conflict over a politically-charged film critical of Hillary Clinton during her presidential...

The Eleventh Amendment was a response to the Supreme Court's decision in Chisholm v. Georgia in 1793. The Court ruled that states were not protected by sovereign immunity in lawsuits brought by citizens of other states. This decision was based on the Court's interpretation of Article III of the...

The Eighth Amendment, which prohibits "cruel and unusual punishments," originated from the English Bill of Rights of 1689. It reflects the American colonists' distrust of unchecked governmental power and their fear of potential abuses, as exemplified by Patrick Henry's rhetoric about the misuse of...

Article I, Section 7 of the U.S. Constitution outlines the process by which proposed bills become law and details the president's power to veto legislation. It grants the president a choice upon receiving legislation passed by both houses of Congress: approve the bill by signing it or veto it by...

The push for the 16th Amendment originated in an era where differing economic conditions strained various sectors of American society. In the latter half of the 19th century, the burgeoning industrial and financial sectors in the Eastern United States flourished. Conversely, agricultural producers...

The former government system under the Articles of Confederation left much to be desired in terms of centralized power, an issue that the framers of the Constitution aimed to address. Individual states had too much autonomy, leading to contradictory laws and regulations that hindered the young...