Preview

Changing The Constitution Assignment

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
183 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Changing The Constitution Assignment
Government : Constitutional Principles : Section Four
Changing the Constitution Assignment
Write a one-page essay explaining the process for changing the Constitution.
What is the difference between formal amendments and informal amendments?
Why are these practices so important and how have they contributed to the Constitution’s ability to last for so long?
Point value: 25 points
Grading Rubric:
Essay is at least one full page in length – 10 points
Essay clearly and factually explains the answer to each question asked – 15 points.

A "Formal amendment" is one that actually adds to or changes the US constitution. It is approved by the states and becomes law. An "informal amendment" is a change to the meaning or interpretation of the Constitution of the united states. There is no real informal way to change the constitution, and its not actual change to the wording of the constitution; rather its the way we preceive the Constitution that changes. One that comes to mind is the equal rights amendment (1972) which prohibits the inequality of men and women. Opponents say that the amendment is no longer needed, as the issues are already laws.
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Quiz 1-4
    • 866 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Quiz 1-4

    Both confining the powers of the federal government to certain narrowly defines areas and adding a bill of rights to the Constitution.…

    • 866 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Pros And Cons Of The United States Constitution
    • 272 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Pros And Cons Of The United States Constitution

    The United States Constitution, adopted by the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787 and executed on March 4, 1789, replaced the less effective Articles of Confederation, and is now the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the oldest written constitution still in use, and plays a decisive role in US law and politics. The Constitution is often hailed as a philosophical marvel, and serves as a template for several other nations. Nevertheless, it has been challenged numerous times since its creation. Our founders included a process to amend the constitution if necessary as they foresaw this. The first ten of these amendments are justly named the Bill of Rights for they protect the natural rights of citizens by putting limitations…

    • 272 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Semester Exam Review Sheet
    • 763 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Semester Exam Review Sheet

    • What is the Bill of Rights and why were they added to the Constitution?…

    • 763 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Chapter 5 Govt 1
    • 1253 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Chapter 5 Govt 1

    Objective 1: Explain the guarantees of civil liberties in the Constitution and the process by which these guarantees became binding on state governments.…

    • 1253 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    A constitution written in the 18th century does not work in the 21st century. Discuss with reference to the USA.
    • 835 Words
    • 3 Pages

    A constitution written in the 18th century does not work in the 21st century. Discuss with reference to the USA.

    The American constitution’s amendment process is long and difficult, which is mainly due to it…

    • 835 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    How Did The Constitution Change
    • 160 Words
    • 1 Page

    How Did The Constitution Change

    The U.S Constitution has changed many times, Many of these changes were during a Convection to discuss how to fix the problems with the way the constitution was made they did give the people power at first but to much. When the constitution was first founded it gave the government to weak and gave them to little power they couldn't enforce any of their laws when the revolts started they couldn't stop them without breaking the constitution so they had to start a convection. A convection is when representatives from every state comes together to discuss an issue occurs with either the constitution or when the government gets too powerful. The constitution was made to ensure that the government has its limits, it also ensures that our government…

    • 160 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Should The Framers Criticize The Government?
    • 855 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Should The Framers Criticize The Government?

    The framers did not want a government that could be easily influenced so they made formal amendment process slow and it contained some informal amendments have been prompted by judicial interpretation. An example would be how the federal courts have the power to nullify acts of the nation’s government when they are in conflict with the constitution which has increased the authority of the court and altered the meaning of various provisions of the constitution and left some things to be interpreted on purpose. The constitution has evolved to accommodate cultural changes, for example, there is no specific amendment guaranteeing women equal protection, federal courts however have…

    • 855 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    POL 201 American National Government
    • 1415 Words
    • 5 Pages

    POL 201 American National Government

    Your initial post should be at least 150 words in length. Support your claims with examples from required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references.…

    • 1415 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Ex-Post Facto Analysis
    • 347 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Ex-Post Facto Analysis

    When the writers of the first ten amendments of the Constitution wrote, them they wanted to protect the rights of the citizens to ensure that ex-post facto could not place their liberties in jeopardy (McAllister, 1927). The protection of freedom in the of our citizens ensures…

    • 347 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The History of the Ratification of the Constitution
    • 725 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The History of the Ratification of the Constitution

    Historical Context: Today, over 200 years after it was written ad ratified (approved), most Americans think of the US Constitution as something almost sacred. We assume that this great document has always been honored and looked up to. This is NOT true. When it was written in 1787 and submitted to the states for ratification, it set off months of fierce and often bitter debate. There were, of course, many who welcomed it as a stronger and more effective national government which could successfully tie the 13 states together into one nation. But others were afraid of this proposed powerful new national government. Why should they now set up a new distant central government which could threaten their liberties just as King George and Parliament had? The debate went on in towns and villages across the country for months. Some of the smaller states ratified the new Constitution quickly, but in most states the debate continued. In February of 1788, the Massachusetts convention voted 187 to 168 to ratify or approve the Constitution. In June, Virginia ratified 89 to 79. New York followed almost immediately. Now, with the approval of 11 states, the new government was established. In April of 1789 George Washington was sworn in as President, even though two states still had not approved the Constitution. It took North Carolina until November 1789 and Rhode Island until May 1790 to join the new government.…

    • 725 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    US Constitution Process
    • 472 Words
    • 2 Pages

    US Constitution Process

    Document 1: It shows as though we aren’t self sufficient. It shows that other countries do not look at us with a good point of view because we don’t have self- government. The editor believes the ratifying of the Constitution will give us a stronger, well-organized government. The Constitution would help the U.S. protect its’ name and makeup and reinforce our trade.…

    • 472 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Has The Constitution Changed
    • 665 Words
    • 3 Pages

    How Has The Constitution Changed

    These first amendments were key to the new nation ensuring that every American citizen had ten basic rights protected by law. Examples of this include freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the rights of assembly and petition, and the right to refuse housing of soldiers. All of these are evidence because before amendment about the housing of soldiers, people would have soldiers living in their house for an extended period of time without their consent, and before freedom of religion, speech and press, and rights of assembly and petition, people couldn't choose the religion they wanted, people couldn't publicly display their opinions in something like the newspaper, and people couldn't gather and protest like they do…

    • 665 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Amending the Constitution
    • 577 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Amending the Constitution

    Why? You remembered that, historically, constitutional amendments have never been initiated at national conventions, even though that is one of the two possible methods outlined in Article V. Your decision to use the route that has proved successful in the past increases the odds of your effort succeeding.…

    • 577 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Constitution Paper
    • 985 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Constitution Paper

    In this paper I will discuss how the Constitution addressed the weaknesses in the Article of Confederation, how the Constitution addressed the complaints in the Declaration of Independence, as well as speaking about the Great Compromise and how representation of states in Congress is determined. I will also go into some detail about the Bill of rights.…

    • 985 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Is The Constitution Still Relevant Today Essay
    • 1447 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Is The Constitution Still Relevant Today Essay

    The Constitution is still relevant today because it was created as a framework which would provide guidance but not unnecessary restrictions without flexibility. The Constitution and its interpretation grows and changes with time allocating rights to the American people and a framework for its government as well as a process to ensure that it can be altered to provide what is needed to ensure a lawful and just democratic society. The masterpiece of the Constitution is within the Bill of Rights ensuring the basic rights of the American people to be protected from the burgeoning power of an omnipresent government. It ensured a process for recourse to prevent government intrusion upon the individual’s private life while guaranteeing inalienable…

    • 1447 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More

Related Topics