 Objectives: Identify the four different ways by which the Constitution may be formally changed. Explain how the formal amendment process illustrates the principles of federalism and popular sovereignty. Outline the 27 amendments that have been added to the Constitution.

 Why It Matters: The Framers of the Constitution realized that, inevitably, changes would have to be made in the document they wrote. Article V provides for the process of formal amendment. To this point, 27 amendments have been added to the Constitution.

 Formal Amendment Process Article V  Proposal by 2/3 of each house of Congress to be ratified by 3/4 of states (38).  This method has been used 26 out of 27 amendments  Proposal by 2/3 of each house and a call for conventions in the states. Then approved by 3/4 of states (38).  Only used once on the 21 st amendment in  Call from 2/3 of state legislatures (34) for a national convention to consider amendment. It must then be ratified by 3/4 of states (38). Never used.  An amendment may be proposed by a national convention and then ratified in 3/4 of state conventions (38). Never used.

 Formal Amendment Process (cont.) Federalism and Popular Sovereignty  Approval process reinforces federalism and indirectly sovereignty.  Sometimes criticized as being representative and not direct.  The state legislature must act first.

 Formal Amendment Process (cont.) Proposed Amendments  No state may be deprived of its representation in the Senate.  The President is NOT involved—does not sign.  If rejected by a state it may later be reconsidered, once approved, however, it is final.  10,000 amendment proposals have been submitted.  Only 33 have been sent to the states and only 27 ratified.

 Formal Amendment Process (cont.) Proposed Amendments (cont.)  10,000 amendment proposals have been submitted.  Only 33 have been sent to the states and only 27 ratified. Six failed:  One proposed in 1789 with the Bill of Rights died.  One offered in 1789 became the 27 th (Congressional Compensation).  1810-foreign titles void citizenship.  1861-no slavery amendments.  1924 an act to regulate child labor.  1972 Equal Rights Amendment by 1984 fell short.  1978 representation for the District of Columbia  A 7 year time limit for enactment started in 1917 (ERA in 1979 was given a 3 year extension).

 The 27 Amendments The Bill of Rights  Proposed in 1789—ratified by The Later Amendments  The 12 th corrected a electoral college problem after the election of  The 13 th abolished slavery in 1865, the 14 th granted citizenship to blacks in 1868, and in 1870 the 15 th granted the right to vote to blacks.

 The 27 Amendments (cont.) The Later Amendments (cont.)  The 18 th in 1919 prohibited alcohol and was repealed by the 21 st in  The 19 th in 1920 granted women the vote.  The 22 nd in 1951 limited the presidency to two terms.  The 25 th in 1967 deals with presidential succession.  The 26 th in 1971 granted the vote to all over 18.  The 27 th in 1992 prohibits congressional raises during the “current” term.

 The United States Constitution has endured for more than two centuries as the framework of government. However the meaning of the constitution has been changed by both formal and informal methods. Identify two formal methods for adding amendments to the Constitution Describe two informal methods that have been used to change the meaning of the constitution. Provide one specific example for each method you described. Explain why informal methods are used more often than formal amendment methods

 Objectives: Identify how basic legislation has changed the Constitution over time. Describe the ways in which the Constitution has been altered by executive and judicial actions. Analyze the role of party practices and custom in shaping the Constitution.

 Why It Matters: The 27 formal amendments to the Constitution have not been a major part of the process by which that document has kept pace with more than 200 years of far-reaching change in this country. Rather, constitutional change has more often occurred as a result of the day-to-day, year- to-year workings of government.

 List and define four ways the Constitution changes informally  Provide an example of each

 Basic Legislation Expanded into the detail Tens of thousands of “laws”  Presidential (executive) Action Commander in Chief Executive Agreement—used frequently now Treaty—cumbersome process

 Court Decisions Marbury v. Madison in 1803 (Judicial Review) A “constitutional convention in continuous session”  Party Practices Not in the beginning—Washington warned against. Party Conventions Electoral College

 Custom Unwritten Cabinet Vice President role developed Senatorial courtesy—a nominee must be acceptable in home state. No third-term for 150 years