Chapter 3 Section 2

The Endurance of the Constitution  The Constitution is a living document Born September 1789 Currently resides in Washington D. C.  It was written very vaguely  Not without some changes along the way There are 27 amendments in about 230 years ○ Several issues such a slavery, women's rights, and the voting age was discussed after its ratification

Framers’ Ideas on Amending the Constitution  Thomas Jefferson He viewed change as inevitable and positive to accommodate changes in society. There must be reasoning behind the changes  James Madison He feared that changing the Constitution would weaken the new government.

The Amendment Process  The entire process is expressed in Article V of the Constitution.  The process is lengthy, drawn–out Requires a Supermajority This was done on purpose  Supermajority-is any majority that is more than 51% Examples: 2/3 (67%) and 3/4 (75%)

Proposing an Amendment  Two thirds of Congress must vote in favor of the proposed amendment. or  Two thirds of the states legislatures (34 out of 50) must vote on the proposed amendment at a national convention

Ratifying an Amendment  Three fourths of the states (38 out of 50) must vote in order for the amendment to take effect. or  Delegates from meet and vote on the amendment at a state wide convention  If three fourths of the conventions approve the amendment then it becomes part of the Constitution

Repealing an Amendment  Another way to change the is to repeal (remove) a pervious amendment  Example: 18 th amendment=prohibition on alcohol. The 21 st amendment was passed soon after the repeal the 18 th amendment