3.2 Formal Amendments
Summary:
Since 1987, 27 amendments have been formally added to the U.S. Constitution.
The amendment process reflects both popular sovereignty and federalism. The
first 10 amendments (called the Bill of Rights) are guarantees of basic freedoms.
There are four ways that the constitution can be formally amended.
Identification: (On the back of this page, briefly define or explain an example for
each term.)
(1) amendment (2) formal amendment (3) Bill of Rights
Objectives: (Answer each question, in the space provided.)
1. Formal Amendment Process:
A. 1st method –
B. 2nd method –
C. 3rd method –
D. 4th method –
2. Explain how the formal amendment process illustrates (a) federalism and
(b) popular sovereignty.
3.3 Informal Amendments
Summary:
Over time, the Constitution has been changed in ways other than by the formal
amendment process. These changes have not involved any changes in the
actual wording of the document. The major agents of these changes have been
Congress, Presidents, the courts, political parties, and customs and traditions.
Identification: (On the back of this page, briefly define or explain an example for
each term.)
(1) executive agreement (2) treaty (3) electoral college (4) cabinet (5) senatorial
courtesy
Objectives: (On the back of this page, answer each question.)
E. Give examples of how basic Congressional legislation has changed
the Constitution over time.
F. Give examples of how the actions of former Presidents have informally
changed the Constitution.
G. Give examples of how interpretations of the courts have altered the
Constitution.
H. How have (a) political party practices and (b) custom and tradition
shaped the Constitution?