Includes bibliographical references (pages 171-178) and index.
Introduction : on the constitutional rhythm -- The rise of Jacksonian democracy -- Presidential reconstruction -- Judicial resistance : Worcester v. Georgia -- The bank veto and the election of 1832 -- Triumph and tears -- Chance and the Whig false positive -- The rise of abolitionism -- Judicial resistance : Dred Scott v. Sandford -- The Fourteenth Amendment in Jackson's shadow -- Conclusion : in search of the missing Constitution