How and why does the Constitution change?

US Government & Politics

Constitutional AmendmentsHow many constitutional amendments do you know?Could you be a Founding Father?0-6 Poor7-13 - Ok14-20 - Good20+ - Genius!

Enquiry Question: How and why does the constitution change?

Learning ObjectivesTo identify the amendments to the US constitutionTo describe the amendment processTo explain why the constitution has been amended so rarely

YOUR TASK;You have been asked to sit in Dictionary Corner on Political Countdown. You will need to explain the word amendment. Discuss with your partner to give you some ideas, then write your best explanation.

What is an amendment?Over to Dictionary Corner

AmendmentAn amendment is a formal revision to the Constitution, responding to needs of a changing nation. The amendment procedure is laid out in Article V of the Constitution.

Bill of Rights Amendments1st Amendment: establishes the freedoms of religion, speech, assembly, and of the people to petition the government for a redress of grievances2nd Amendment: the right of the people to keep and bear arms3rd Amendment: protects the people from having to house soldiers in peacetime has never been an issue4th Amendment: protects against unreasonable search and seizure, warrants can only be issued on the basis of probable cause5th Amendment: no one can be held for a serious crime without being presented to a grand jury, no one can be tried for the same crime twice: double-jeopardy, right to avoid self-incrimination, No one can be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, the right of eminent domain6th Amendment: all criminals have the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury, the accused has to be informed of the charges against them (writ of habeas corpus), the accused has the right to confront any witness against him or her and produce witnesses of his or her own, the accused has the right to assistance of counsel7th Amendment: people in civil cases worth more than $20 have the right to a trial by jury8th Amendment: excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted9th Amendment: the enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people10th Amendment: the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people, the powers of the federal government are limited to those in the Constitution, all powers of government NOT delegated to the federal government belong to the states

Additional US Constitution Amendments11th Amendment: citizens cannot sue states in federal court12th Amendment: members of the electoral college cast separate votes for the president and vice president13th Amendment: abolished slavery14th Amendment: requires that states give all people equal protection under the law; gave citizenship to freed slaves15th Amendment: voting rights cannot be denied to any citizen based on race, color, or former status as a slave16th Amendment: authorizes the income tax17th Amendment: establishes direct election of US senators18th Amendment: prohibited the manufacturing, importing, and exporting of alcoholic beverages19th Amendment: prohibits the federal government and states from forbidding any citizen the right to vote based on sex20th Amendment: changes the details of Congressional and presidential terms and presidential succession21st Amendment: repeals the eighteenth amendment22nd Amendment: limits the president to two terms23rd Amendment: grants Washington, D.C. presidential electors24th Amendment: prohibits the requirement of a payment (a poll tax) as a qualification for voting25th Amendment: provides for replacement of the vice president26th Amendment: lowered the national voting age to 1827th Amendment: limits congressional pay raises


Amendment ProcessThe Founding Fathers, while realising the likely need to amend the Constitution, wanted to make doing so a difficult process. Thus, it was to be 2 stage process requiring super-majorities of more than 50% such as a 2/3 majority in both houses of Congress and of the states agreement.

Amendment ProcessExplain the advantages and disadvantages of the process of amending the Constitution. (15)Using your notes and the relevant pages from the textbook, write an answer to the following examination question:


With only 27 amendments passed, and only 17 of them in last 220 years, the question is raised as to why so few amendments have been passed.There are 4 significant reasons why.Why has the Constitution been amended so rarely?Amendment process is deliberately difficultConstitution is unspecific (e.g. provide for the common defence and general welfare)Judicial Review interprets constitution and can effectively change meaning (interpretative amendments)Prohibition is a lesson amend with caution!!

Lets take a closer look:Proposed Constitutional Amendments Approved by Congress- Not ratified- Awaiting RatificationProposed Constitutional Amendments Not Approved by CongressProposed Constitutional AmendmentsCASE STUDY


Enduring QuestionsIs the amendment process the reason why the Constitution has lasted so long?

What contemporary events and/or issues may lead to constitutional amendments in the future? Why?Which amendment that has already been passed is the most important? What makes it the most important?

You have 3 minutes in which to write an amendment to the US Constitution.Pass your proposed amendment to the Teacher.The class will vote on your amendment.Remember you need a 2/3 majority in order to send your proposal for ratification.

3 MinutesStart Timer3210

Constitutional AmendmentCould you be Founding Fathers?

HomeworkTASKS:Revise for end of topic test.25 short questionsPass mark = 18Failure to reach the pass mark will result in re-taking the test in an after school session.Prepare for Constitution Topic Timed Exam Questions1 x 15 mark question1 x 45 mark questionHINT!Read the Bill of RightsThink about freedom in the ConstitutionFind/memorise 2 quotes about freedom and the US ConstitutionThink about conflicting viewpoints

How and why does the Constitution change?

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Transcript of How and why does the Constitution change?