UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Monday, September 28, 2015

Warm-Up 1) How many times has the Constitution been amended? 2) Describe the contents of one amendment

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS Formal and Informal

Changing the Constitution The Constitution has lasted more than 200 years because it has changed with the times. Many of its words and their meanings are the same, but some words have been changed, eliminated, or added – and some of the meanings have been modified as well. The alterations to the Constitution have occurred in two ways: either through formal or informal amendments, or changes.

Formal Amendment A formal amendment is a change to the Constitution’s written words. The Framers created four pathways to such changes: Proposal of Amendments 2/3 Vote in Each House of Congress Proposal by a National Convention Ratification of Amendments 3/4 of State Legislatures 3/4 of special State Conventions

The Formal Amendment Process

Formal Amendment The Framers followed the principle of federalism in creating these methods. Amendments are proposed, or suggested, at a national level – either by Congress or at a national convention. Then they are ratified at the State level – either in the State legislatures or by State conventions.

Formal Amendment The first ten amendments are called the Bill of Rights. Congress proposed all of them in 1789 because many people refused to support the Constitution unless the Federal Government protected these basic rights. The States approved these ten amendments in The other 17 amendments became part of the Constitution one at a time.

Other Important Amendments Amendments XIII – XV: The Reconstruction Amendments XIII: Prohibition of Slavery (1865) XIV: Civil Rights and Liberties (1868) XV: Voting Rights (1870) Amendment XVI: Federal Income Tax (1913) Amendment XIX: Women’s Suffrage (1920) Amendment XXIII: Presidential Electors for DC (1961)

Informal Amendments Many informal amendments to the Constitution have been made since Unlike formal amendments, these have not changed the Constitution’s actual words. These changes have come from five sources: 1 – Congressional legislation: First, it has passed laws that fill in details about the specific ways the government operates. Second, it has passed thousands of laws that explain certain parts of the Constitution.

Informal Amendments 2 – Use of Presidential powers Example: a president may choose to make an executive agreement, or pact, with the head of another country instead of a treaty, or a formal agreement between two sovereign countries that requires Congressional approval. 3 – The courts, especially the U.S. Supreme Court, have informally changed the Constitution by explaining parts of it when ruling on cases. The also decide if the government actions are constitutional or unconstitutional.

Informal Amendment 4 – Political parties have informally shaped what the government does. Example: the parties have decreased the importance of the electoral college, the group that formally selects the nation’s President. 5 – Many customs have developed in American government that are not mentioned in the Constitution. Example: the President’s Cabinet, or advisory body, is customarily made up of the heads of executive departments and other officers.

Discussion Questions 1) Do you think that it is too difficult to amend the United States Constitution? Why or why not? 2) Propose a new amendment that you think should be added to the Constitution today.