Amending the Constitution! Big Idea: How did we get all 27 amendments are WHY do they even matter????

Amending the Constitution -To amend means to= change -We have amended the Constitution 27 times -Because we can amend our Constitution, we call the Constitution a “living document” -There are 2 steps necessary to amend the Constitution

Step 2: Ratification Step 1: Proposal Idea to amend must be proposed by:   Two-thirds of both houses of Congress (the Senate and the House of Representatives) Idea to amend must be ratified by:   ____________ of state legislatures (“mini” State Congresses) Three-fourths

Propose: 2/3 of both houses Ratify: 3/4 of state legislatures Did we understand what happened before? 1. What are the 2 steps needed to amend the Constitution called? 2. What proportion (fraction) of both houses of Congress need to propose an amendment? What proportion (fraction) of state legislatures need to ratify an amendment? 3. THINK: Do you think it is easy or hard to amend the Constitution? Why do you think we have it this way? Propose then ratify Propose: 2/3 of both houses Ratify: 3/4 of state legislatures

One on One, State vs. State, cannot go to Federal Court. Amendment # What it says Remember it! 11th citizen of one state can't sue another state in federal court (has to be in Supreme Court) Basically if you're from Texas you can't sue someone from Oklahoma in Federal Court One on One, State vs. State, cannot go to Federal Court.

Not 1, but 2 separate votes for for Pres and VP 12th Voters will vote for 1 President and 1 Vice President. (Before this, whoever came in second place became Vice President). Not 1, but 2 separate votes for for Pres and VP

1, 3 I’m Free! It’s the end of SLAVERY! Ends Slavery! 1, 3 I’m Free! It’s the end of SLAVERY!

All for one and 1 4 ALL, equal rights for all Americans 14th Gives all citizens equal protection under the law. Used to end segregation. (didn’t actually work until the 20th century…do we still have segregation in the 21st century?) All for one and 1 4 ALL, equal rights for all Americans

15 wrote that ALL men can vote All male citizens can vote, including former slaves. Voting= “suffrage” 15 wrote that ALL men can vote

16th Congress can collect an income tax (a tax on what Americans make in income) It’s April 16, you forgot to think and pay your income tax! (They are due April 15th)

SEventeen for SEnators NOT elected by the states US senators will be elected by the people, not chosen by state legislatures SEventeen for SEnators NOT elected by the states

At 18 you can’t drink, but you can vote! 18th Prohibited (made illegal) the sale of alcohol. This was known as prohibition At 18 you can’t drink, but you can vote! *Only amendment to ever be repealed

1, 9 isn’t she fine, now women can vote 19th Women’s suffrage: Women now have the right to vote. 1, 9 isn’t she fine, now women can vote

20 is for Jan 20, the inauguration date The President’s inauguration (starting day) date moves up from March 20th to January 20th 20 is for Jan 20, the inauguration date

You can drink again, you’re 21! 21st Repeals (cancels) Prohibition (18th Amendment) and made alcohol legal You can drink again, you’re 21!

22nd President can only serve two terms AT MOST as president, so Eight Years Max Two Twos = Two Terms

Twenty THREE, gives 3 to Washington DC (3 Electoral Votes) 23rd Washington DC now gets to have THREE electoral votes (representatives) in the electoral college Twenty THREE, gives 3 to Washington DC (3 Electoral Votes)

At 24 youre Poor, can’t afford a Poll Tax 24th There can be no poll taxes. You cannot be forced to pay a few in order to vote. At 24 youre Poor, can’t afford a Poll Tax 24, no poll tax at the door

25 you can only be President if you’re alive 25th Sets up line of succession. If the President dies, the VP is President. If the VP dies, the Speaker of the House is President. 25 you can only be President if you’re alive

2 + 6 = EIGHT teen you can vote! 26th Makes eighteen the national voting age 2 + 6 = EIGHT teen you can vote!

27, Congress can’t raise its pay to heaven. 27th Congress CANNOT make pay raises while current Senators and Representatives are in office 27, Congress can’t raise its pay to heaven.

Guided/Independent Practice There are letters posted around the room. Your job? To find ALL of them and write the NUMBER and a DESCRIPTION of that particular amendment. This looks like: A. The 13th amendment was the amendment that…

E Senators State Legislators People vote C Women Suffrage Equal to men F President 2 terms 8 years

A Slavery Civil War Freedom D Congress Pay Raise Heaven B Prohibition Alcohol Illegal

K Washington DC 3 votes Electoral College I Poll Tax Poor L President Vice President Separate Votes

G Law suits State v. State Supreme Court J Equal No Segregation Treatment H President Dies Vice President

O 18 Voting age Rights Q President Inauguration 20th

M April 16th Income tax Law P Men Suffrage Black=white Alcohol Repealed Legal