Amending the ConstitutionAmending the ConstitutionThe Constitution has been formally

amended 27 times in the 220 years of its existence. The first 10 were ratified in the first 2 years the Constitution was in place.

The Framers provided 4 methods to formally amend the Constitution.

The 4 methods are:The 4 methods are:  

Method 1 = Amendment proposed by Congress by a 2/3 vote in both houses. The Amendment is then ratified when State Legislatures in ¾ of the states approve it.

Method 2 = Amendment proposed by Congress by a 2/3 vote in both houses. The Amendment is then ratified when Conventions in ¾ of the states approve it.

Amendment Methods Cont’dAmendment Methods Cont’dMethod 3 = Amendment proposed

at a National Convention called by Congress when 2/3 of State Legislatures request one. The Amendment is ratified when it is approved by ¾ of the State Legislatures.

Method 4 = Amendment proposed at a National Convention called by Congress when 2/3 of State Legislatures request one. The Amendment is ratified when ¾ of State Conventions approve it.

What do these methods have What do these methods have in common?in common?

2/3 of Congress to propose the amendment.

¾ of States needed approve an amendment.

Fun Facts about the Fun Facts about the AmendmentsAmendments

26 of 27 amendments were adopted using Method 1.

Only the 21st amendment used Method 2.  

Methods 3 and 4 have never been used.

The first 10 Amendments The first 10 Amendments make up the Bill of Rightsmake up the Bill of Rights

  Amendment 1 = Freedom of:ReligionSpeechPressAssemblyPetition

Amendment 2 = Right to Bear Amendment 2 = Right to Bear ArmsArms

A well-regulated militia being necessary to the

security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be

infringed.http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/statelaws/22ndedition/illinois.pdf

Amendment 3 Amendment 3

No quartering of soldiers required during time of peace

Quartering means?Being forced to keep soldiers in

your house.

Amendment 4 Amendment 4

Protects people against illegal searches and seizures.

Search warrants are required and need to be specific.

To get a search the warrant the government needs to show Probable cause.

Rights of the AccusedRights of the Accused

Amendment 5 = protects citizens due process rights including criminal proceedings and eminent domain.

Amendment 6 = guarantees a speedy public jury trial in which the accused can confront witnesses against him/her and have the assistance of an attorney.

Civil RightsCivil Rights

Amendment 7 = Right to a jury trial in Civil Cases.

Amendment 8 = Protects citizens against cruel, unusual or excessive punishment.

 Amendment 9 = Protects all basic rights of citizens even if not mentioned specifically in the Constitution.

Amendment 10 = Powers Amendment 10 = Powers reserved to the States.reserved to the States.

This is an example of which basic principle?

Federalism, remember division of powers between state and national government.

The rest of the AmendmentsThe rest of the Amendments

Amendments 11 and 12 = working out the kinks of the new government.

Amendment 13: ended slaveryAmendment 14: equal protection

of the lawsAmendment 15: black suffrage

Amendment 16 = Income taxAmendment 17 = Popular election

of Senators (1913) Amendment 18 = Prohibition

““Recent Amendments”Recent Amendments”Amendments 19, 23, 24, and 26 all

increased voting rights.Amendment 19: womenAmendment 23: D.C. given electoral

votesAmendment 24: ended poll taxAmendment 26: 18 year-olds

Amendment 21 repealed ProhibitionAmendments 20, 22, 25 all involved changes in Presidential issues.  Amendment 27 concerns change in the pay of Congress.