Chapter 3 The U S Constitution Section 1

Chapter 3 The U. S. Constitution Section 1: Ideals of the Constitution Section 2: The Three Branches of Government Section 3: An Enduring Document 1

Section 3: An Enduring Document The Main Idea The Constitution is an enduring document that has met the needs of a changing country for more than 200 years. Reading Focus u How did the framers envision change when writing the Constitution? u What are two ways in which the Constitution may be changed? 2

Section 3: An Enduring Document A. Changing the Constitution 1. Difficult process—meant to survive politics and temporary changes in public opinion 2. “Living” document 3. Can be changed formally and informally 3

Section 3: An Enduring Document B. Amendment Process 1. Amendment is a formal change 2. Approved by ¾ of the states 3. Only successful 27 times in 225+ years 4

Section 3: An Enduring Document B. Amendment Process 4. Amendment proposed in two ways a. 2/3 vote in both houses of Congress b. 2/3 of state legislatures ask Congress for a national convention (34) 5

Section 3: An Enduring Document B. Amendment Process 5. Ratification process in two ways a. Proposed amendment sent to state legislatures b. Proposed amendment sent to state convention c. Amendment ratified by ¾ of states (38) 6

Section 3: An Enduring Document C. Interpretation of the Constitution 1. Changes can be made by custom and tradition a. Cabinet 2. Congress can interpret Constitution to decide social issues 3. Supreme Court interpretation of Congressional action 7