The Constitution: An Enduring Document Civics Chapter 3, Section 2

Main idea The Constitution is both a product of its time and a document for all time. It can be changed as society’s needs change.

Jefferson and Madison Jefferson felt that the Constitution should be changed when necessary: “each generation…has…a right to choose for itself the form of government it believes most promotive of its own happiness.” Madison felt that changes to the Constitution would create factions that would inspire sectional rivalries: “Would not such a periodical revision engender pernicious factions that might not otherwise come into existence?”

A Document for All Time The original Constitution was a product of its time and reflects the wisdom and the biases of the Framers. Its relatively few changes in 220 years testify to its enduring wisdom

The Amendment Process It is intentionally complex Amendments can be proposed 2 ways: Congress or National Convention Amendments can be ratified 2 ways: Legislatures or Conventions Each step requires a supermajority: three-fifths, two-thirds, or three-fourths 21st amendment only one to be ratified by convention Over 10,000 attempts to change the Constitution

More than 200 Years of Amendments: Bill of Rights First 10 amendments: Bill of Rights First amendment sets the tone of what government cannot do. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for redress of grievances.”

Bill of Rights 2nd: gives citizens the right to bear arms 3rd: prohibits the quartering of troops 4th: protects against unreasonable search and seizure 5th & 6th: cannot lose life, liberty, property without due process of law Others: prohibits national government from usurping rights or powers that belong to the states and to the people

Other Amendments Created during periods of crisis or of social and political progress 13th, 14th & 15th created in aftermath of Civil War 17th, 18th, 19th & 21st created during first 2 decades of 20th century for social reform 6 of them involve voting: 15th, 17th, 19th, 23rd, 24th & 26th