Explain in detail the two ways the Constitution can be amended and provide an example of why the Constitution would need to be amended.
Please feel free to use the sentence structure below!
The Constitution can be amended in two ways. The first way is ______________. The second way is _________________ An example of why the Constitution would need to be amended is _________________. (Be sure to add examples her and explain in detail)
The Constitution can be amended in two ways. The first way is through the proposal and ratification process. Under this method, an amendment can be proposed by either Congress or through a national convention called for by two-thirds of the state legislatures. If a proposed amendment is approved by two-thirds of both houses of Congress, it will be sent to the states for their consideration. Alternatively, if a proposed amendment is endorsed by a national convention called for by two-thirds of state legislatures, it will also be sent to the states for ratification. In either case, ratification of the proposed amendment by three-fourths of the state legislatures or by conventions in three-fourths of the states is required for it to become part of the Constitution.
The second way to amend the Constitution is through a constitutional convention called for by two-thirds of the state legislatures. This method has never been used, as all 27 amendments to the Constitution thus far have been proposed by Congress. If a constitutional convention were to be summoned, it would function similarly to Congress, with delegates proposing and voting on amendments. Like the first method, any amendment proposed by a constitutional convention would still require ratification by three-fourths of the states to become part of the Constitution.
An example of why the Constitution would need to be amended is the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, which granted women the right to vote. Before the 19th Amendment, women were denied the right to participate in the democratic process solely on the basis of their gender. This inequality sparked a suffragette movement that sought to secure voting rights for women, leading to the proposal and eventual ratification of the 19th Amendment. By amending the Constitution to ensure equal suffrage regardless of gender, the government addressed a significant injustice and expanded the realms of democracy and equality.
Another example is the 26th Amendment, which was ratified in 1971 and lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. The rationale behind this amendment stemmed from the fact that during the Vietnam War, young Americans aged 18 and older were being drafted into military service, often without the right to vote. Many argued that if young citizens were entrusted with the responsibility to fight and potentially die for their country, they should also be granted the right to participate in the electoral process. By amending the Constitution, the 26th Amendment ensured that all adult citizens, regardless of age, had an equal say in choosing their representatives and leaders.
In both these examples, the need for amendments was driven by the recognition of fundamental rights and the desire to eliminate discriminatory practices. The Constitution serves as a living document that can adapt to societal advancements and address existing shortcomings, making amendment processes vital for maintaining a just and equitable society.