Amending the Constitution Chapter 3 - Section 3 Amending the Constitution

Essential Question: How do the three branches of government impact the Constitution?

But first….some vocab! With your group, create a short (20-30 second) skit that explains your vocabulary word to us Bill of Rights - Ratify - Judicial Review - Executive Agreement - Separation of Powers - Veto

A formal change to the Constitution What is an Amendment?

Brainstorm: What rights are protected by the Bill of Rights?

Bill of Rights - First 10 Amendments Put into place as soon as the Constitution was ratified A provision of ratification Put into place by a people who were recovering from what they saw as a violent occupation and violation of rights from a powerful autocrat Turn to page 789

Formal Change: Amending the Constitution Founders intentionally designed ways to change the Constitution Did NOT make it easy to do There are only 27 Amendments First 10 are the Bill of Rights Formal Change: Amending the Constitution “We must never forget that it is...a Constitution intended to endure for ages to come, and consequently, to be adapted for the various crises of human affairs” - John Marshall

Stop and Read: Article V in yellow and the explanation of it to the right in white on page #787 Stop and Write: What are the two processes by which the Constitution can be amended?

Changing the Constitution: Proposing Amendments An Amendment can be passed by ⅔ vote of both Houses of Congress The only method that has been used Many Amendments are proposed but not passed Example: The Equal Rights Amendment A full ⅔ of the states call for a national convention called by Congress Has never been used Came close twice A convention could conceivably propose numerous Amendments

How is an Amendment Ratified? ¾ of the states’ legislatures approve it Each state calls a ratifying convention ¾ of these conventions approve it Only used once - 21st Amendment Elected delegates gave the people a direct voice

Stop and Think: Are Amendments the only way that the Constitution can be changed?

No! Congress has clarified the Constitution in new laws and in the ways it uses its power

Stop and Write: Do you know of any Supreme Court decisions that changed the law?

The Role of the Courts Supreme Court interprets the meaning of the Constitution Judicial Review The Court can decide the constitutionality of laws (either state or federal) The Court can also review decisions that it previously made and reverse them Judicial restraint - The court should not rule on policy Judicial activism - The court should help to shape policy

Stop and Draw: Who is the leader of the United States of America Stop and Draw: Who is the leader of the United States of America? (not necessarily right now, but in general)

How does the President interact with the Constitution?

The President and the Constitution Often moves without Congress Decisions in many cases can be reviewed by the judiciary Executive Agreements Agreements entered into with other countries Not treaties Do not follow the rules set out for treaty making in the Constitution Has gained a massive amount of power not granted in the Constitution

Essential Question: How do the three branches of government impact the Constitution?