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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 1, 3 I’m Free! It’s the end of SLAVERY!
Ends Slavery!
1, 3 I’m Free! It’s the end of SLAVERY!

9. 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

10. 15 wrote that ALL men can vote
All male citizens can vote, including former slaves. Voting= “suffrage”
15 wrote that ALL men can vote

11. 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)

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

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

17. 22nd
President can only serve two terms AT MOST as president, so Eight Years Max
Two Twos = Two Terms

18. 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)

19. 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

20. 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

21. 2 + 6 = EIGHT teen you can vote!
26th
Makes eighteen the national voting age
2 + 6 = EIGHT teen you can vote!

22. 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.

23. 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…

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

25. A Slavery Civil War Freedom D Congress Pay Raise HeavenB
Prohibition Alcohol
Illegal

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

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

28. O 18
Voting age
Rights Q
President
Inauguration
20th

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Repealed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