  With this paper we provide a mathematical review on the initial-value problem
of the one-particle Dirac equation on space-like Cauchy hypersurfaces for
compactly supported external potentials. We, first, discuss the physically
relevant spaces of solutions and initial values in position and mass shell
representation; second, review the action of the Poincar\'e group as well as
gauge transformations on those spaces; third, introduce generalized Fourier
transforms between those spaces and prove convenient Paley-Wiener- and
Sobolev-type estimates. These generalized Fourier transforms immediately allow
the construction of a unitary evolution operator for the free Dirac equation
between the Hilbert spaces of square-integrable wave functions of two
respective Cauchy surfaces. With a Picard-Lindel\"of argument this evolution
map is generalized to the Dirac evolution including the external potential. For
the latter we introduce a convenient interaction picture on Cauchy surfaces.
These tools immediately provide another proof of the well-known existence and
uniqueness of classical solutions and their causal structure.
