Amending the Constitution

Multiple Choice

According to Alexander Hamilton, why should constitutions consist only of general provisions?

• Because they must be permanent and cannot predict all future changes

• Because they should be easy to change frequently

• Because they should include every possible law

• Because they should be written by only one person

Open Ended

Why do you think the framers of the Constitution chose not to make it a complete and detailed blueprint for government?

Multiple Choice

Why did the framers of the Constitution include an amendment process in Article V?

• To allow for flexibility and endurance of the Constitution

• To make the Constitution easy to change frequently

• To prevent any changes to the Constitution

• To give the president more power over laws

Open Ended

Explain why the amendment process was designed to be difficult according to the framers of the Constitution.

Fill in the Blanks

The Twenty-first Amendment, which ended

, was ratified by special conventions in three-fourths of the states.

Multiple Choice

Which steps are involved in the typical method of amending the Constitution?

• Proposed by a two-thirds vote in Congress, ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures

• Proposed by the president, ratified by Congress

• Proposed by a national convention, ratified by the Supreme Court

• Proposed by state legislatures, ratified by the president

Multiple Choice

What role does the president play in the amendment process?

• No formal role; power lies with Congress and the states

• Can approve or block amendments

• Can propose amendments directly

• Has veto power over amendments

Open Ended

Discuss the criticism regarding the equal-representation provision in the Senate. Why do some critics consider it undemocratic?

Multiple Choice

Which amendment in the Bill of Rights guarantees the right to bear arms?

• First Amendment

• Second Amendment

• Third Amendment

• Fourth Amendment

Open Ended

Explain how the Fifth and Sixth Amendments protect the rights of individuals accused of crimes.

Fill in the Blanks

The

Amendment bans excessive bail and cruel or unusual punishment.

Multiple Select

Select all amendments from the Bill of Rights that guarantee rights related to legal proceedings.

• Fourth Amendment

• Fifth Amendment

• Sixth Amendment

• Seventh Amendment

Open Ended

How did the Eleventh and Twelfth Amendments strengthen the federal government?

Multiple Choice

Which amendment overturned the Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision and granted citizenship to all people born in the United States?

• Thirteenth Amendment

• Fourteenth Amendment

• Fifteenth Amendment

• Twelfth Amendment

Multiple Choice

Which Progressive-Era amendment allowed Congress to establish an income tax?

• Sixteenth Amendment

• Seventeenth Amendment

• Eighteenth Amendment

• Nineteenth Amendment

Open Ended

How did the Twentieth Amendment change the terms of office for presidents and members of Congress?

Fill in the Blanks

The Twenty-sixth Amendment lowered the voting age from

to 18.

Multiple Select

Which of the following amendments extended voting rights to different groups during the Civil Rights Era?

• Twenty-third Amendment

• Twenty-fourth Amendment

• Twenty-sixth Amendment

• Twenty-seventh Amendment