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?