1. The Constitution: A Living Document

2. Providing for Change
Framers of Constitution knew the plan of govt. they were creating would have to adapt to a growing nation
Three ways in which the government and Constitution can be adapted to changes in society:
Amendments
Interpretation
Custom

3. The Amendment Process
Amendment- a written change made to the Constitution
Not an easy process- requires approval of ¾ of all the states
Can take a long time
Amendments can be proposed in two ways
Two-thirds vote in both houses
Two-thirds of the state legislatures (34 out of 50) can ask Congress to call a convention to propose a new amendment
Never been done successfully

4. The Amendment Process
After an amendment is proposed, it must be ratified (approved) by three-fourths (38) of the states
Two ways in which an amendment can be ratified:
Send the proposed amendment to the state legislatures for approval
Send the proposed amendment to state conventions for consideration
Once ratified, an amendment becomes part of the Constitution
If people don’t like the effects of an amendment, it can be repealed (canceled) by another amendment

5. Changes in Government
When the Constitution is changed, government is changed as well
Constitution can be interpreted by government to allow it to do things not explicitly written in the Constitution
i.e. set minimum wage laws
Supreme Court decides if the govt. interpreted the Constitution correctly/did not violate other rights or amendments
Supreme Court’s decision is FINAL
Some things govt. does also come about through custom and tradition, not guidelines stated in the Constitution
i.e. President meeting with his cabinet member

6. ? What are the three ways in which the Constitution can be changed?
What is an amendment?
How can amendments be proposed?
How can amendments be ratified?
If the govt. takes action through interpreting the Constitution, who decides if that interpretation is correct/fair?