Warm Up What is it called when the government has separate branches that have individual responsibilities? What is it called when the separate branches hold some control over the other branches of government? Opinion: The second amendment, states that all people have the right to bear arms, basically the right to own a gun. Do you agree or disagree? 1. Separation of powers 2. Checks and Balances

Amending the Constitution Civics Standard 12.4.2 LG: I will identify the different ways to change the constitution by analyzing a court case.

I. Formal Amendments Changes or additions that become part of the written language of the constitution itself.

II. Methods 1st Method: proposed by Congress w/ 2/3 vote in both houses, ratified by state legislatures in ¾ of the States 2nd Method: proposed by Congress w/ 2/3 vote in both houses, ratified by Conventions held in ¾ of the States [used only once]

Federal Income Taxes – 16th Amend.

Direct Election of Senators – 17th Amend.

Anti-Alcohol

Repeal the 18th Amendment

Women's Suffrage – 19th Amend.

Amending the Const.

III. Informal Changes Does not involve changes in the wording of the Constitution itself. Congress: passed laws that have enlarged or clarified many of the Constitution’s provisions. Presidents: increased their power over time [executive order]

President Theodore Roosevelt

“Trust Buster”

D. Federal courts: interpret the meaning of the Constitution’s sometimes vague wording [judicial review] 1. Judicial restraint: court should avoid taking the initiative on social and political questions. 2. Judicial activism: court should play a role in shaping national policies. E. Customs: tradition has allowed political parties to gain power but were not mentioned in the Constitution

Roger B. Taney [Scott Decision 1857] “they had no rights which the white man was bound to respect.”

Segregated Drinking Fountains

Chief Justice Earl Warren

Justice Thurgood Marshall

Amendments

Madison’s 27th Amend