How and Why did the Framers Devise an Amendment Process
The framers wanted the Constitution to be a fundamental framework of law that's different among any other government document. There were several issues that caused a great deal of strife. George Mason for an example believed that amendments are a necessary function of life. Congress has the power to decide how a proposed amendment will be ratified either by a three fourths legislation or three fourths of a special convention. Congress has the authority to determine how long states have to approve an amendment. If a proposal is not passed with the allotted time given then the amendment fails.
What Types of Constitutional Amendments have been Adopted
The Constitution has been changed several times since 1789 in six categories. Bill of Rights, fundamental changes, expansion of suffrage, overturning supreme court decisions, refinement and mortality.
Bill of Rights (1791)
The first the ten amendments of the Constitution was often refined to as the bill of rights. Some consider these ten to be apart of the original constitution. Congress sent 12 amendments to the states and the states only ratifies ten. Later in 1791, another twelve was ratified as the twenty seventh amendment and limiting Congress's power to raise salaries, and the dealing with apportionment of members of the house of representatives. Click on the Bill of Rights Title for more intel
Fundamental Changes
13th and 14th resulted from the Civil War and resolved issues not settled at the Constitutional Convention
Outlawed Slavery
Defined Citizenship
Imposed equal protection and Due Process requirements on States
Gave Congress more enforcement power
Outlawed Slavery
Defined Citizenship
Imposed equal protection and Due Process requirements on States
Gave Congress more enforcement power
Expansion of Suffrage
15th, 19th, 24th and 26th prohibits states from denying voting rights based on race, gender, age of persons of 18 or older, or failure to pay poll taxes.
Overturning Supreme Court Decision
- 11th overturned improper expansion of federal courts power
- 16th overturned decision that prevented Congress from passing and income tax.
Refinements
- 12th required electors to make separate choices for presidents and vice president
- 20th shortened length of time between elections and when officials take office.
- 22nd limits presidents to 2 terms
- 25th addresses presidential succession
Morality
- 18th outlawed manufactured, sale, and transport of alcohol(prohibition)
- 21st repealed the 18th.