1. Amending the Constitution
Chapter 3 - Section 3
Amending the Constitution

2. Essential Question: How do the three branches of government impact the Constitution?

3. But first….some vocab!
With your group, create a short (20-30 second) skit that explains your vocabulary word to us
Bill of Rights - Ratify - Judicial Review - Executive Agreement - Separation of Powers - Veto

4. A formal change to the Constitution
What is an Amendment?

5. Brainstorm: What rights are protected by the Bill of Rights?

6. Bill of Rights - First 10 Amendments
Put into place as soon as the Constitution was ratified
A provision of ratification
Put into place by a people who were recovering from what they saw as a violent occupation and violation of rights from a powerful autocrat
Turn to page 789

7. Formal Change: Amending the Constitution
Founders intentionally designed ways to change the Constitution
Did NOT make it easy to do
There are only 27 Amendments
First 10 are the Bill of Rights
Formal Change: Amending the Constitution
“We must never forget that it is...a Constitution intended to endure for ages to come, and consequently, to be adapted for the various crises of human affairs” - John Marshall

8. Stop and Read: Article V in yellow and the explanation of it to the right in white on page #787
Stop and Write: What are the two processes by which the Constitution can be amended?

9. Changing the Constitution: Proposing Amendments
An Amendment can be passed by ⅔ vote of both Houses of Congress
The only method that has been used
Many Amendments are proposed but not passed
Example: The Equal Rights Amendment
A full ⅔ of the states call for a national convention called by Congress
Has never been used
Came close twice
A convention could conceivably propose numerous Amendments

10. How is an Amendment Ratified?
¾ of the states’ legislatures approve it
Each state calls a ratifying convention
¾ of these conventions approve it
Only used once - 21st Amendment
Elected delegates gave the people a direct voice

11. Stop and Think:
Are Amendments the only way that the Constitution can be changed?

12. No! Congress has clarified the Constitution in new laws and in the ways it uses its power

13. Stop and Write: Do you know of any Supreme Court decisions that changed the law?

14. The Role of the Courts
Supreme Court interprets the meaning of the Constitution
Judicial Review
The Court can decide the constitutionality of laws (either state or federal)
The Court can also review decisions that it previously made and reverse them
Judicial restraint - The court should not rule on policy
Judicial activism - The court should help to shape policy

15. Stop and Draw: Who is the leader of the United States of America
Stop and Draw: Who is the leader of the United States of America? (not necessarily right now, but in general)

16. How does the President interact with the Constitution?

17. The President and the Constitution
Often moves without Congress
Decisions in many cases can be reviewed by the judiciary
Executive Agreements
Agreements entered into with other countries
Not treaties
Do not follow the rules set out for treaty making in the Constitution
Has gained a massive amount of power not granted in the Constitution

18. Essential Question: How do the three branches of government impact the Constitution?