Chapter 3
An Enduring Document
Section 3
Informal Changes
Constitutional Terms
1. political party – organized group that seeks to
control government by winning elections
 2. nomination – process of naming candidates to
run for public office
 3. succession – transfer of authority on the
death of the chief executive
 4. Cabinet – the President’s advisory board –
made up of the heads of the executive
departments

FACT or OPINION?

1. The process of formal amendment is
much more important than the process of
informal amendment.

Opinion
FACT or OPINION

Jefferson violated the Constitution when
he decided to buy the Louisiana Territory.

Opinion
FACT or OPINION

3. The elastic clause gives Congress the
freedom to define and extend its powers.

Fact
FACT or OPINION

4. America’s two-party system is almost
certainly unconstitutional.

Opinion
FACT or OPINION

5. The process of informal constitutional
change has had a greater effect on the
Constitution than the formal process of
amending it.

Opinion
Main Ideas
1. How do the broad language and
general principles of the Constitution
affect constitutional change?


Has made it flexible and open to
interpretation – encouraged change
Main Ideas

2. What are some of the ways in which
Congress and the President have made
informal constitutional changes?
Congress – commerce clause
 President – treaty making role - to deal
with foreign countries

- commander in chief – sends troops
abroad without a declaration of war
Main Ideas

3. How have customs shaped the practices
of the government?
Two-party political system
 Presidential cabinet

Main Ideas


4. What important power does judicial
review give to the Supreme Court?
It allows the Supreme Court to determine
what the words of the Constitution
actually mean.
Critical Thinking

If the Framers had filled the Constitution
with details and specific guidelines, how
would it have affected the process of
informal change?
It would be difficult to interpret the
document on a broad scale
 It would be inflexible
