FrontPage: OL on your desk. Why is it important that we are able to amend the Constitution?

Last Word: OL 3.4 – Summarize

all amendments for Wed.

Amending the Constitution

The only constant, is change…

The US Constitution Is the oldest written constitution still in effect**Why do you think the Constitution has been

able to survive for 220 years?

Why is the amendment process so important?

How can it be amended/changed?What are the 2 steps in the amendment

process?

Step 1: Proposing the Amendment…

Step 1: Proposing the Amendment…What is the most common way that

amendments are proposed?

What is the method that has never been used?

Sample Constitutional Amendment in

Congress

Step 2: Ratifying the Amendment

Once an amendment has been officially proposed by Congress or a national convention, it must be sent to the 50 states for their approval.

There are 2 ways that states can ratify, or agree to, amendments…

Step 2: Ratifying AmendmentsWhat is the most

common way that states can ratify?

What is the method that has only been used once?

Who determines which ratification methods are used?

What else does Congress decide (in the text of the amendment?)

How many total amendments? The first 10

amendments were ratified in 1791 What were

these called? Since then,

17 amendments have been ratified for a total of 27

Evaluating Proposed Amendments When considering whether you would

support a proposed Constitutional amendment, there are 3 questions you should ask about the amendment…

1) Is there a “pressing need” in American society for the amendment?

2) Is the amendment consistent with American values and the values of the Constitution? (as you define them)?

3) What are the possible consequences (pro and con) if the amendment passes?