Chapter 3: The Constitution Section 2: An Enduring Document (pg.78-83)

Jefferson & Madison on Amending the Constitution Jefferson believed that the Constitution should be able to changed by future generations. On the other hand, Madison pointed out that the longer the Constitution is unchanged the document would gain acceptance and changing the Constitution to often could lead to factions and chaos.

A Document for All Time The Constitution has survived the Civil War, presidential assassinations, and economic crises. It is now the oldest written constitution. However, it included problems that future generations have had to fix Slavery was included, voting rights were withheld from most, and other person liberties were have to be added

The Amendment Process The Framers knew that future generations would need to change the constitution. In Article V the Constitution gives four ways that the Constitution may be amended. The Framers required each step—proposal and ratification—have a supermajority or more than just a simple majority They wanted the amendment process to be difficult, there has been 10,000 attempts, 33 have passed Congress and only 27 have passes both Congress and the states

Proposing an Amendment Amendments may be proposed two ways: 1st by Congress with two-thirds of each house & 2nd by delegates at a national convention that is called by Congress at the request of two-thirds of the state legislatures To date only the first method has been used

Ratifying an Amendment There are two methods for ratifying: 1st three-fourths of state legislatures must approve & 2nd citizens elect delegates to conventions and three-fourths have to approve. The second approach was only used with the 21st amendment

The Amendments The first 12 Amendments are the early adjustments to the Constitution Amendments 1-10 were passed in 1791 and protect certain rights from government infringement and are called the Bill of Rights The 11th protects states from certain lawsuits The 12th fixed the presidential election process Patrick Henry and Samuel Adams

The Civil War Amendments (1865) The 13th —ended slavery (1868) The 14th—Defined citizenship, expanded due process, and established equal protection (1870)The 15th—Prohibited denying the right to vote because of race, color, or previous servitude

The Progressive Amendments (1913) The 16th –Permitted passage of income tax (1913) The 17th—Provided for direct election of U.S. senators (1919) The 18th—Prohibited production, transportation, and sale of alcohol in (1933 the 21st repealed Prohibition) (1920) the 19th— Gave woman the right to vote

The Final Seven (1933) 20th—Changed the date of presidential and congressional terms (1951) 22nd– Created presidential term limits (1961) 23rd– Washington D.C. got to vote in presidential elections (1964) 24th—banned poll tax (1967) 25th—Established rules for presidential succession (1971) 26th—Lowered voting age to 18 (1991) 27th– Rules for congressional pay