1. The Bill of Rights First 10 Amendments
Drafted by James Madison, who culled through almost two hundred state suggestions.
Purpose was to limit the power of national government and guarantee specific rights and liberties to individual citizens
A “Bill of Limits.” The package was assembled by Madison, who culled through almost two hundred state suggestions.
No explicit limits on state government powers.
Did not apply to state governments. The restrictions were only applicable to the national government until the 14th amendment incorporated some of these rights.
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2. The Bill of Rights
2 additional amendments proposed as part of the Bill of Rights were not ratified in 1791
A proposed amendment dealing with apportionment of the House of Representatives was never ratified
A proposed amendment dealing with Congressional pay was actually ratified in 1992 (27th Amendment), 203 years after being submitted to the states
A “Bill of Limits.” The package was assembled by Madison, who culled through almost two hundred state suggestions.
No explicit limits on state government powers.
Did not apply to state governments. The restrictions were only applicable to the national government until the 14th amendment incorporated some of these rights.
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3. The Formal Amendment Process
Cope with any new and unforeseen problem
Taken on with extreme caution
Rigorous process
Every government needs to be able to cope with any new and unforeseen problem. Any Constitutional change should, however, be taken on with extreme caution. If the process to amend the Constitution is rigorous, there should be ample time to consider the merits of such a change.
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4. Amending the Constitution
Although 11,000 amendments have been considered by Congress, only 33 have been submitted to the states after being approved, and only 27 have been ratified since 1789.
Recent amendments have usually been accompanied by time limits for ratification.
11,000 27
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5. Amending the Constitution
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6. Amendments
The strongest theme among the amendments is the expansion of citizenship rights.
Example: Right to vote for women (Nineteenth, 1920)
The Granger Collection, New York
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7. Amendments to the Constitution
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8. Informal Methods of Constitutional Change
Congressional Legislation
Presidential Action
Judicial Review
Interpretation, Custom, and Usage
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